Arthur Smith

Arthur was born in 1889, the son of George Smith. Arthur was 21 years old and working as a fettler (iron foundry) when he married Gertrude Annie Wright, a lace worker, at Sneinton St Alban on 1 August 1910. Both were living at 5 North Street, Gertrude's family home. Arthur's father George, a carter, had died by the time of Arthur's marriage. Gertrude Annie was born in 1892, the daughter of James Wright (d. 1913) and Miriam Wright, and baptised at Nottingham St Ann in 1900. In 1901 James, a lace maker, his wife and their four children, James, Lilian, Gertrude and Albert, were living at 3 Norland Street, Nottingham. At the time of the 1911 Census, James and Miriam were living at 5 North Street, Sneinton. Also in the home were their son Albert and daughter Eva, who was born after 1901, and their married daughter Lilian Lees, her husband Frederick and their young son. The year after their marriage in 1910, Arthur, an iron dresser (iron foundry) and Gertrude were living at 73 Henry Street, Nottingham. The later CWGC record gave Gertrude's address as 36 Lower Eldon Street, Sneinton, Nottingham. The family notices placed in the local newspaper by Gertrude include 'children.' However, the WW1 Pension Ledger record only names his widow. There are two children whose registrations of birth in Nottingham, surname Smith mother's maiden name Wright, were in the right period and who might have been Arthur and Gertrude's children: Arthur birth registered 1913 (J/F/M) and Lilian birth registered 1916 (J/F/M).

1911 - iron dresser (iron foundry),

Enlisted Nottingham

Driver, 978th Motor Transport Company, Army Service Corps. Arthur died at Shoeburyness Military Hospital at Shoeburyness Garrison near Southend-on-Sea, on 31st October 1918 of broncho-pneumonia. He was buried in Nottingham General Cemetery and his name is also inscribed on the CWGC Screen Wall in the Cemetery. Nottingham General Cemetery: 'Many of the 336 First World War burials in Nottingham General Cemetery were made from the Bagthorpe War Hospital and other war hospitals in the city. More than 100 of these graves form a war plot, with the names of the dead inscribed on an adjoining Screen Wall.' (www.cwgc.org-extract)

CWGC Additional information: 'Son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Smith; husband of Gertrude Annie Smith, of 36, Lower Eldon St., Sneinton, Nottingham.' Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 2 November 1918: ‘Smith. Died suddenly October 31st, Pte A Smith in military hospital. Sorrowing wife Gertie and children.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 31 October 1919: ‘Smith. In cherished memory of Pte Arthur Smith, the beloved husband of Gerty Smith, died in hospital October 31st, 1918. Never will his memory fade. From loving wife and children.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 31 October 1919: ‘Smith. In affectionate memory of Pte A Smith, died October 31st, 1918. Fond memories cling. Mother [Miriam Wright], Lily [Lilian Lees], George [Lees], Albert, Eva.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 30 October 1920: ‘Smith. In loving memory of our dear son and brother-in-law, Pte A Smith, died October 31st, 1918. Everlasting love. Mother [Miriam Wright], sisters and brothers.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) ‘In Memoriam’ notices were placed in the Nottingham Evening Post on 31 October 1921 by wife Gerty and children and also Mrs Wright and family. WW1 Pension Ledgers: record named wife, Gertrude Annie Smith.