Harold Smith
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Harold was the son of Samuel and Priscilla Smith (née Springthorpe). His father Samuel was born in Somercoates, Derbyshire, in about 1860. His mother Priscilla was born in Leicestershire in 1869, the daughter of Joseph and Eliza Springthorpe. Her family was living in Thringstone, Leicestershire, in 1861; Priscilla was 11 months old. Samuel and Priscilla were married in 1876 (O/N/D Chesterfield) and had nine children of whom one died in infancy or early childhood. Eight children were named on the census between 1881 and 1891: Joseph b. Newbold Derbyshire abt. 1879, Lilian b. Newbold abt. 1880 and Louisa J b. Whittingham Derbyshire abt. 1882; the other five children were born in Skegby: Lawrence b. 1884 (A/M/J Mansfield), Ernest b. 1886 (J/A/S Mansfield), Cyril b. 4 September 1888, Sallie birth registered 1894 (J/F/M Mansfield) and Harold b. abt 1897. In 1881 Samuel (22), a coal miner, and Priscilla (21) were living at 17 Duke Street, Whittington, Chesterfield, with their two children Joseph (2) and Lilian (1). By 1891 they had moved to Meden Bank, Stanton Hill, Skegby. Samuel's occupation was given as coal miner deputy and grocer. He and Priscilla now had six children: Joseph (12), Lilian (11), Louisa (9), Lawrence (7), Ernest (4) and Cyril (1). They were still living at the same address - 68 Meden Bank - in 1891. Samuel was still a coal miner deputy but Priscilla's occupation was now given as grocer/shopkeeper. Only six of their eight children were in the home on the night of the census: Lilian (21), Laurence (17) a coal miner, Ernest (14) a baker's apprentice, Cyril (11), Sallie (7) and Harold (3). By 1911 Samuel, now a baker and grocer's dealer on his own account, and Priscilla were living at Wharf Road, Meden Bank, Stanton Hill, Skegby, with three of their children, Lawrence (27) a coal miner and Sallie (17) and Harold (13) whose occupations were given as 'help', presumably assisting at home and in the business. Also in the household was Florence Scott (16) a general domestic servant. Harold's parents were still living at the same address when he was killed in 1917. His brother Cyril served in the Royal Marine Light Infantry in the war and was killed at Gallipoli in 1915.
He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial (Bay 7).
His brother Cyril served with the Chatham Battalion Royal Marine Light Infantry (Ch/138S Private) and was killed at Gallipoli on 28 May 1915 (Helles Memorial). He left a widow and two children (see record on this ROH). Registers of Soldiers' Effects: his mother, Priscilla, was his sole legatee. WW1 Pension Ledgers: mother, Priscilla Smith.
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