Ernest Smith

Ernest was born on 1 April but there is a discrepancy in the year between the dates on the census (1886/1887) and that on the RN&RM War Graves Roll (1885). CWGC gives his age as 31 but his age in the notice of his death in the local paper was given as 29. Ernest was the son of Joseph and Sarah Ann Smith. Joseph was born in Riddings, Derbyshire (abt. 1853) and Sarah was born in Blidworth, Nottinghamshire (abt. 1852). According to the 1911 census, Joseph and Sarah had had nine children of whom only six were still living at the time of the census. Eight children were named on the census between 1881 and 1911: Elizabeth M (b. Hucknall Torkard), Henry (b. Hucknall), Annie (b. Hucknall), Arthur (b. 1876, Hucknall), Joseph (b. Bulwell), Frederick (b. Nottingham), Albert (b. Basford) and Ernest (b. Basford). In 1881 Joseph, a coal miner, and Sarah were living at 14 Birkland Street, Bulwell, with their five children; Elizabeth (10), Henry (8), Annie (6), Arthur (5) and Joseph (under one year). The family has not yet been traced on the 1891 census. By 1901 Joseph was a licensed victualler (own account) at 33 Church Street, Basford. As well as his wife Sarah, four children were living at home; Elizabeth of no occupation, Frederick a coal worker, Albert 'in work' and Ernest a colliery pony driver. Ernest had joined the Royal Marine Light Infantry by 1911 when he was serving with the RN in China and the East indies. Joseph and Sarah were still living at 33 Church Street in 1911 but only two children were at home on the night of the census, Joseph a miner and Albert a barman. Ernest's parents' address was given on the RN record as The Bowling Green, Church Street, Old Basford. However, the notice of Ernest's death in the local paper gave the family's address as 'The Fox and Crown', Old Basford.