William Smith
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
William Smith was born in 1896 at North Muskham and was the son of William of a pub landlord and Mary Catherine Smith, née Brownlow of the Spread Eagle public house 15 Middle Gate Newark. His father was born in 1864 at Balderton and his mother Mary Catherine Brownlow was born in 1871 at Markham Moor, they were married in 1892, their marriage was recorded in the Southwell registration district they went on to have the following children, William b1896 North Muskham, Ralph b1899 North Muskham and Kathleen Nora b1901 at North Collingha. In the 1911 census the family are living at the Spread Eagle public house, Middlegate, Newark and are shown as William 47 yrs a license holder, he is living with his wife Catherine 40 yrs and their children William 15 yrs who is assisting in his fathers business, Ralph 12 yrs a scholar and Kathleen Nora 10 yrs a scholar.
Driver William Smith enlisted in Newark he served with the 106th Field Company Royal Engineers. He died following a riding accident in training on 12th July 1915, he is buried at Newark-upon-Trent Cemetery, Nottinghamshire.
Article published in the Newark Advertiser 14th July 1915 :- Eldest son of William & Mary Catherine Smith, The Spread Eagle, Middle Gate, Newark. Born North Muskham and a scholar at the Mount School. Employed by Messrs. Harvey Brothers as a plumber’s apprentice prior to enlisting twelve weeks ago. Also was in the Church Lads Brigade for over six years. At Aldershot, while exercising a horse in jumping hurdles the horse fell and Driver Smith was thrown over its neck and fractured his skull. The accident happened at 10.30 a.m. and he died at one o’clock, not having regained consciousness. Buried at Newark with full military honours.
