John William Smith

No family details are recorded on the CWGC record. However, a war pension record of 1917 names his mother, Harriet Smith, of 6 Harcourt Street, Kirkby in Ashfield. It seems likely from other research that John William was the son of Henry Smith and Harriet Smith (née Smith). Henry was born in Chell, Staffordshire, and Harriet in either Strenfield or Saxmundham, Suffolk. They were married in 1894 (O/N/D Mansfield). According to information on the 1911 Census, they had been married for 17 years and had had eleven children of whom four had died. Seven children have been traced: Henry b. South Normanton poss. 1890 (J/F/M Mansfield), John William b. Pinxton 1892 (O/N/D Basford) bap. Pinxton 7 May 1893 (mother Harriet Smith), Isabella b. Pinxton 1895 (J/A/S Basford) bap. Pinxton 1 September 1895, Emma b. Pinxton 1898 (O/N/D Mansfield) bap. Pinxton 20 September 1898, Thomas James b. Pinxton 1901 (A/M/J Mansfield) bap. 18 April 1901, Ellen b. Pinxton birth registered 1903 (J/F/M Mansfield) bap. Pinxton 1 March 1903 and Harriet b. Kirkby in Ashfield 1905 (J/A/S Basford). With the exception of John, the records of the children's baptisms name their parents as Henry and Harriet Smith. No baptismal records have been found for Henry and Harriet. There is a baptismal record for another child who may have been one who died in infancy: William Smith bap. Pinxton 30 August 1891, mother Harriet Smith. In 1901 Henry (38), a coal miner hewer, and Harriett (34) were living at Toll Bar, Pinxton, near Mansfield, with their children Henry (11), John W. (8), Isabella (5), Emma (2) and Thomas (under one year). The 1911 Census described Isabella as an 'imbecile'. Also in the household was a boarder, Joseph Slea (25), a coal miner. By 1911 the family was living at 85 Vernon Road, Kirkby in Ashfield. The seven surviving children were still at home with their parents: Henry (21) and John (18) were both coal miners like their father, but the census also records they were 'corporals' possibly a reference to service in the Territorial Force, Isabella (15) no occupation, Emma (12), Thomas (10), Ellen (8) and Harriet (5). Thomas James attested in the Territorial Force in June 1919, aged 18 years 3 months, occupation miner. The record is sparse, but Thomas probably served in the Royal Artillery (29422) although in 1931 he is shown as an 'absentee reservist'. His next of kin was his father, Henry Smith of 45 Villa Street, East Kirkby. Thomas may have re-enlisted in the Royal Engineers in December 1939. Isabella was probably an inmate at a Poor Law Institution at 105 Stockwell Gate, Mansfield, when the 1939 England & Wales Register was compiled. She was described as a domestic servant. Isabella died in 1965 (O/N/D Mansfield).

No Photos