Francis John Geoffrey Smith
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Francis was born 14th February 1886 at Ashby de la Zouch, LeicestershireHe and was the son of Sir William and Lady Mary Elizabeth Smith (née Owsten ) of Langley Mill Nottinghamshire. He was Baptised 18th April 1886, Ilkeston, DerbyshireAppears to have been known as Geoffrey as this is how he is shown on all Census returnsOn 1891 Census he is shown with his maternal grandparents, William Osborne and Sarah Hardwick, and brother Wilfred at Ashby de la Zouch. Francis is listed as Geoffrey (NB William was his mothers stepfather)On 1901 Census, family are shown as living at Dunstead Road, Langley Mill. Family consisted of parents and siblings - Welborn Owsten, Mary Hannah Gething, Gertrude Sarah Redfern, Robert Oswald, Wilfred Osborne Hardwick and Winifred Margaret – Francis is not shown. His father is listed as a master corn miller.Francis appears as Geoffrey Smith on the 1901 Census and is a boarder at Wycliffe College, Stonehouse, GloucestershireOn 1911 Census, he is shown Geoffrey Francis Smith, giving his place of birth as Ashby de la Zouch, and living at 71 Whampton Street, Walsall and listing his occupation as Assistant Manager Flour Mill. He has signed the census return as ‘F. Geoffrey Smith’ and started to write ‘Albion M’ as his address. The inmemories.com website has a photo of Francis Smith on the Saint Hilaire Cemetery Extension page saying that the family were ‘the owners of the Albion Flour Mill, Wolverhampton Road, Walsall’. This is confirmed by the fact that the Albion Flour Mill later became the Smith’s Floor MillParents still living at Dunstead House, Langley Mill on 1911 CensusOther known siblings were William (1877-1925), Barrie (Born and died 1883) and Ralph Edward (1888-?)In addition to the Albion Mill at Walsall, the family owned Smith’s Flour Mills in Langley Mill and the Albion Floor Mill at WorksopAdministration granted to Robert Oswald Smith 30th March 1920. Estate £7149 6s 8dThe CWGC records has a statement on his records stating ‘Threw up a good position and joined the Army in the early months of the war’
Originally served as 96 Sergeant, Essex YeomanryAppointed Second Lieutenant 12th November 1914 (London Gazette 14th December 1914) Appointed Temporary Lieutenant with No.2 Company 6th March 1915 (London Gazette 24th March 1915)Appointed Acting Captain 30th July 1915 (London Gazette 29th July 1915)Correction issued indicating that he was appointed Acting Captain as of 30th May 1915 and not 30th July 1915 (London Gazette 17th August 1915)Transferred to No.3 Company, 59th (2nd North Midland) Divisional Train Army Service Corps Buried Saint Hilaire Cemetery Extension, Frevent Row H Grave 11
Frevent was a place of some importance on the lines of communication during the First World War. The 43rd Casualty Clearing Station was posted there from April to June 1916, part of the Lucknow Casualty Clearing Station in June, the 6th Stationary Hospital from June 1916 to the end of August 1918, and the 3rd Canadian, 19th and 43rd Casualty Clearing Stations in the summer of 1918. The great majority of the burials in the cemetery were carried out from these hospitals. St. Hilaire Cemetery Extension was used from March to August 1918 and after the Armistice, one grave of 1915 was brought in from Dennebroeucq.
