Fred Smith (1896–1963)

Private

Machine Gun Corps 182559

115th Training & 8th Reserve Battalions

Photo courtesy Marjorie Kneebone and Margaret Howitt

Photo of Fred Smith in WW1

Biography
Fred was born in 1896, the son of Joseph and Sarah Ann Smith. Before the war he worked at the limestone quarry. He attested in December 1915 aged nineteen living at Folds Yard, Crich. He was a Primitive Methodist. Although he had enlisted in 1915 he was not mobilised until April 1918, only to be released eight months later to work in a coal mine. He was demobbed in January 1919. Fred Smith married Doris Wragg in 1921 September qtr (Belper reg district) and worked at Wingfield Manor pit.

Courtesy Ian Castledine

Photo of Wingfield manor Colliery

Wingfield Manor Colliery where Fred Smith went to work

Army Service Record
He attested 11/12/15 aged 19 years and 1 month, an unmarried collier, living at Folds Yard, Crich. His height was 5ft 3in, weighing 129lb and the next of kin was his father Joseph Smith of Folds Yard; also recorded was Sarah Ann Smith, mother. He was born 3rd November 1896 and had brown eyes and brown hair with a fresh complexion and was a Primitive Methodist. He had a scar on his right forearm and belonged to the Ancient Order of Foresters.
11/12/15 Enlisted
28/04/18 Mobilized
01/05/18 Posted to 115th T.R. for MGC at Clipstone
19/10/18 Transferred to 8th R. Btn MGC at Rugeley
05/12/18 Released for Coal Mining
08/01/19 Demobbed; address Oakerthorpe, Nr Alfreton.

Newspaper Reports

Derbyshire Courier, 30 July 1921
At the Parish Church, Crich, on Saturday, the wedding took place of Mr Fred Smith, eldest son of Mr and Mrs Joseph Smith, of Fold Yard, Crich, and Miss Doris Wragg, second daughter of Mr and Mrs Luke Wragg, of the Common, Crich. The bride who was given away by her brother, Mr Alfred Wragg, was attired in a champagne-coloured crepe-de-chine dress with hat to match, and carried a bouquet of white carnations, lilies, gypsophila and asparagus fern. The bridesmaids were Miss Ethel Smith (sister of the bridegroom), and Miss Lena Wragg (sister of the bride). The former wore a dress of pale blue crepe de chine and hat to match, and Miss Wragg was attired in saxe crepe de chine with grey hat. Mr Cyril Booth, of Fritchley, acted as best man. There were 40 guests at the reception.

Derbyshire Times and Chesterfield Herald, 3 June 1933

Mr Fred Smith, Sandy Lane, Crich, who met with an accident in the pit is making satisfactory progress.

CENSUS INFORMATION

1901: Crich

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
Joseph Smith Head 30 Limestone quarryman Crich
Sarah Ann Smith wife 28   Crich
Fred Smith son 4   Crich
Ann Ethel Smith daughter 1   Crich
Agnes Smith daughter 3 mo   Crich

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1911: Folds Yard, Crich

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
Joseph Smith Head 40 Limestone quarryman Crich
Sarah Ann Smith wife 38   Crich
Fred Smith son 14 Labourer limestone quarry Crich
Ethel Smith daughter 11   Crich
Agnes Smith daughter 10   Crich
Bernard Smith son 6   Crich

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1918 Crich voters
Fred Smith, Fold Yard; absent on military service.

1939 Register: The Cross, Crich
Fred Smith b.3 November 1896; colliery hewer underground, heavy work
Doris Smith c. 10 November 1899
Marjorie Kneebone (Smith) b.7 February 1922; hosiery manuafcturer hand sewing
Joseph R Smith b. 8 August 1927; school