Harry Sidney Smith
Surname: Smith
Other names: Harry Sidney
Locations in this story: Wilton, WiltshireShaftesbury, DorsetCann, Shaftesbury, Dorset
Story: Harry Sidney Smith was born in Wilton, Wiltshire, in 1869 and, having later moved to Shaftesbury, Dorset, was baptised at Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 29th November 1869. He was the son of Harry Smith, a painter, and Mary Smith (née Mitchell). The 1871 Census shows the family living in Salisbury Street, Shaftesbury. Harry married Harriet Fanner in Shaftesbury on 31 Aug 1890 and they went on to have four children, one of whom died as an infant. During this time Harry became a member of the Shaftesbury Football Club and achieved the nickname of 'Bumper' Smith. He founded the Shaftesbury & District League and served as its secretary for 30 years.
He had obvious extended service with the military (possibly as a Territorial) but the only information found is that he is listed on the Absent Voters List for 1918 as being Company Quartermaster Sergeant with the 13th Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry (Service No. 265708). There is no record of any medals but, presuming he had served in the UK only due to his age, he would have been entitled to the British War Medal at least. The 1921 Census shows him living at 'Allerton', Tanyard Lane, Shaftesbury, working as a Decorator on his own account. He later moved to Hawkesdene Lane, Cann, Shaftesbury, where his death was recorded on 14 Feb 1934.
Harry's brother Montague (b.1889) also had a career with the army, with the Lancers, the Machine Gun Corps and the Royal Tank Corps.
He had obvious extended service with the military (possibly as a Territorial) but the only information found is that he is listed on the Absent Voters List for 1918 as being Company Quartermaster Sergeant with the 13th Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry (Service No. 265708). There is no record of any medals but, presuming he had served in the UK only due to his age, he would have been entitled to the British War Medal at least. The 1921 Census shows him living at 'Allerton', Tanyard Lane, Shaftesbury, working as a Decorator on his own account. He later moved to Hawkesdene Lane, Cann, Shaftesbury, where his death was recorded on 14 Feb 1934.
Harry's brother Montague (b.1889) also had a career with the army, with the Lancers, the Machine Gun Corps and the Royal Tank Corps.
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