Albert Smith
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Albert 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 cenus between 1881and 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. However, 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. 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.
2nd Bn Lancashire Fusiliers. Albert was killed on 3 May 1917. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial (Bay 5).
Albert's brother, Ernest, joined the Royal Marine Light Infantry (PO/12856 Private) before the war and was serving in HMS Hampshire when the ship was sunk on 5 June 1916. He body was not recovered for burial and he is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial. (See record on this Roll of Honour) A report in the Nottingham Evening Post, 11th September 1916, recorded an incident before Alfred enlisted when he was working at the Fox and Crown, Old Basford: 'DEGRADED POLICE TRICKS. Nottingham Magistrates Dismiss Paltry Charge Against Publican.' '“Whist for drinks” was mentioned at the Nottingham Guildhall this afternoon [11th September 1916] when Albert Smith, of the Fox and Crown, Old Basford, was charged with allowing gaming on his licensed premises. Mr. A. Barlow prosecuted for the police. ‘Police-sergeant Turton stated that he visited the public house in plain clothes, and found four men playing cards, the losers to pay for drinks. At another table four others were playing half-penny nap. The defendant was waiting at the tables while money was being passed. Witness paid subsequent visits to the house, and found similar games in progress, and, in fact, took part in a game for drinks and tobacco. Mr. R.A. Young, for the defence, in cross-examining the witness, suggested that the police officers, who were in disguise, tried to trap the landlord into supplying them with drink after hours. The witness admitted that one of the policemen asked for drink after hours, but was refused, and it appeared also that he was a dressed in overalls, while a colleague carried a block of wood. 'Mr. Young characterised it as “unsportsmanlike, degrading, and low” for two “coppers” to go disguised and ask a publican to supply them with drinks after 9.30, presumably with a view to prosecuting him if they succeeded. 'The defendant, who is to be called up for military service on Wednesday, [13th September 1916] said that he and his father had held the licence for 20 years. He denied that he had seen gaming for money, and added that he did not know “the long policeman and the plump policeman” (as Mr. Young differentiated between them) were officers. The magistrates dismissed the case.’ The magistrates might have been influenced by the knowledge that the landlord, as reported, was about to join up and might also have been aware that the landlord's brother had been killed three months previously. Above courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918. Nottingham Evening Post , ‘Roll of Honour’, 26 May 1917: ‘Smith. Killed in action, May 3rd, 1917, Albert Smith, of Fox and Crown, Old Basford. Deeply mourned by his mother and sister.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
