Walter Henry Smith
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Walter Henry was the son of Arthur Nelson and Annie Smith (née Springthorpe). His father Arthur Nelson was born in Nottingham in 1855 (A/M/J Nottingham), the son of Henry Barrows Smith and his wife Mary (née Nelson). In 1861 Henry, a hosier, and his family were living at Holborn Villas, Wollaton Street, Nottingham. By 1881 Henry was living at 72 Goldsmith Street, Nottingham, a hosier employing four men and a boy. His son Arthur (23) was a book keeper in the lace trade, possibly working for his father. His mother Annie/Ann was born in Basford in about 1860, the daughter of Peter and Agnes Springthorpe. In 1881 they were living at 4 Gladstone Street, Nottingham; Peter was a machine builder and his daughter a machinist. Arthur and Ann were married at Nottingham St Andrew on 5 November 1885. Their son Walter b. 1891 (O/N/D Nottingham) was the only one of their three children to survive infancy. The two children who died young were probably Florence Annie b. 1890 (J/F/M Nottingham) d. 1890 (J/F/M Nottingham) and Harold Arthur b. 1896 (J/F/M Nottingham) d. 1896/1897. In 1891 Arthur (35), a bookkeeper, and Annie (31) were living at 13 Ossington Villas, Nottingham, with her parents, Peter and Agnes Springthorpe. Arthur and Annie with their son Walter (9) and Annie's widowed father had moved to 8 Myrtle Avenue, Hyson Green, by 1901. Arthur was now working as a commercial clerk. In 1911 Arthur, an office clerk (lace dressing), Annie and Walter (no occupation) were living at 183 Noel Street, Nottingham. Arthur died a year later on 26 January 1912; the probate record gives his address as 254 Haydn Road, Sherwood. His wife Annie died the following year on 9 February, she was living at 208 Haydn Road at the time of her death. It seems likely that Walter later lived with his aunt, Eliza Ann Martin, his father's sister, in Beeston (see 'Exra Information'). Eliza died on 24 June 1919.
Walter Henry served in the 1/5th Bn Sherwood Foresters. The battalion had served in France from February 1915. He was killed in action on 21 May 1918, the first day of the German Spring Offensive (Kaiserschlacht - 'Kaiser's Battle', also known as the Ludendorff Offensive); a series of German attacks along the Western Front. Walter is buried in Fouqueires Churchyard Extension, France (grave ref. III.B.5). He qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Probate: Smith Arthur Nelson of 254 Haydn-road Nottingham died 26 January 1912 at the Bagthorpe Hospital Nottingham Probate Nottingham 23 February to William Walters factory manager. Effects £230 3s. 3d. Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 20 February 1913. : Smith. On February 9th, at 208 Haydn-road, Sherwood, Annie, widow of the late Arthur Nelson Smith, aged (-) years. At rest.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Probate: Smith Annie of 208 Haydn-road Nottingham widow died 9 February 1913 Administration Nottingham 25 February to Walter Henry Smith of no occupation. Effects £296 6s. 3d. Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 14 June 1918: ‘Smith. Killed in action Walter Henry Smith, Notts and Derby Regt., only son of the late Arthur Nelson Smith, and beloved nephew of Mrs J Martin, The Hollies, Middle-street, Beeston.Faithful unto death.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Note: Eliza Ann Martin née Smith, Arthur Nelson Smith's sister. Probate: Smith Walter Henry of The Hollies Middle-street Beeston Nottinghamshire private HM Army died 21 May 1918 in France. Administration (with Will) Nottingham 3 September to Eliza Ann Martin (wife of Joseph Martin). Effects £346 8s. 8d. Registers of Soldiers’ Effects: Aunt & Administrix Mrs Eliza A Martin. Payments also made to Anthony R Knight and John H Freckingham (£10 jointly) Walter's aunt Eliza Martin died in 1919. Probate was awarded to Anthony Robson Knight a plumber and John Henry Freckingham an ironmonger.
