Lawrence Henry Smith (1887–1972)

Lance Bombardier

Royal Garrison Artillery 74379

152 Siege Battery

Photos courtesy Peter Robinson

Laerence Henry Smith in WW1

Lawrence Henry Smith better known as 'Harry"

Group of WW1 soldiers

Harry (on the right) with a group of fellow soldiers

Harry Smith  in the 1930s

Harry in c 1930s

Biography
Lawrence, born in 1887, was the son of Samuel Smith and Annie. Samuel was publican at the Bull’s Head on Cromford Road, Crich. Lawrence attested in February 1916 at Ripley, aged twenty-eight, an unmarried grocer’s warehouseman. In April 1916 he was admitted into the Military Hospital, Great Yarmouth, suffering from influenza. He entered France in August 1916, was appointed Lance Bombardier in January 1919 and demobbed the following March. He married Hilda O Robinson in 1920 September qtr (Belper reg district)

Postcard showing Bulls Head Inn in Crich

You can see the Bulls Head pub sign on the left. Lawrence's father was publican here.

Army Service Record
He attested on 22/02/16 at Ripley aged 28 years 4 months, an unmarried grocer's warehouseman. His address was near church Crich. He was 5ft 10½in tall, weighed 154lb and the next of kin was his father, Samuel Smith of Crich.
He was awarded the Victory and British War Medals.
22/02/16 Attested
08/04/16 to 30/08/16 Home
22/04/16 to 28/04/16 Hospital with influenza (Military Hospital Great Yarmouth)
31/08/16 Folkestone to Boulogne
11/12/17 Leave to UK with RA
21/11/18 Attached RGA Canteen
29/11/18 to 13/12/18 Leave to UK
12/01/19 Appointed acting paid Lance Bombadier
08/02/19 Admitted hospital
17/02/19 Discharged to duty
29/03/19 Discharged

His brother William Edward Smith also served during WW1 but is not on the Crich Roll of Honour as he did not reside in Crich when the family moved here from Alvaston.

CENSUS INFORMATION

1891: Baker Street, Alvaston and Boulton

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
Jemima Smith Head 60 Laundress Alvaston
James Smith son 24 Plate M railway labourer Alvaston
William Austin Smith son 22 blacksmith Alvaston
Annie Smith daughter-in-law 27   Alvaston
Lawrence Henry Smith g.son 3   Alnaston

RG12 piece 2722 folio 9 page 11

1901: Baker Street, Alvaston and Boulton

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
Samuel Smith Head 38 Gas labourer Alvaston
Annie Smith wife 27   Derby
James Smith son 18 Fitters labourer Alvaston
Laurence Smith son 13 Errand boy Alvaston
May Smith son 9 Living on own means Alvaston
Gertie Smith daughter 6   Alvaston
Lilian Smith daughter 3mo   Alvaston

RG13 piece 3207 folio page

1911: Bull's Head, Crich

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
Samuel Smith Head 48 Publican Derby
Annie Smith wife 46   Derby
Lawrence Smith son 23 Grocer's assistant Derby
Lilian Smith daughter 10 School Derby

RG14PN20984 RG78PN1251 RD436 SD4 ED13 SN185

1918 Crich voters
Lawrence Henry Smith, Bulls Head Inn; absent on military service.

1939 Register: Jubilee Avenue, Ripley
Lawrence H Smith b.2 October 1887; provisions shop manager
Hilda O Smith b.21 September 1896
Averil E Smith b. 18 October 1925; school
one closed record