HERBERT SUDBURY SMITH 1897–1993
Photograph from family collection courtesy of Pauline Woodhouse
Born 21st January 1897 in Heanor, Derbys
Married 5 February 1919 to Rosa Stafford at St Mary’s Church, Radcliffe on Trent, two daughters, Margaret (Peggy) born 1919 and Pamela born 1928.
Died 20th May 1993 in Radcliffe, age 96
Known as Sudbury.
1901 Census
Age 4 living on Woodland Grove, Colwick, Notts. with father Herbert, mother Elizabeth and brothers Irving 12, Horace 11 (killed at Passchendaele Oct 12th 1917) and Joseph 7.
1911 Census
Age 14 a solicitor’s clerk living at 6 Chaworth Road, Colwick, with father Herbert Sudbury Smith, insurance agent, mother Elizabeth, brothers Irving 22 a cabinet maker, Horace 21 a french polisher, and Joseph 17 a boiler maker.
Military Service
Rank: Gunner
Service Number: 69496
Military Unit: Tank Corps
Theatre of War: He served in the U.K. and did not enter a theatre of war
From Herbert Sudbury Smith’s own correspondence and records:
1 Nov 1916: Passed a civilian test to drive a 2-ton motor vehicle
Attested: 9 Nov 16
Illness
11.2.17: Admitted to Wool (Bovington Camp) Hospital, Dorset with measles. Hospital was at Bovington Camp Army Base.
03.3.17: Discharged
21.3.17: Re-admitted to Wool (Bovington Camp) Hospital with debility after measles.
17.4.17: Discharged
07.5.17: Transferred to A.P.C (Army Pay Corps) on 2 months’ probation
29.6.17: Admitted to Brook War Hospital, near Woolwich, with anaemia and disordered action of the heart (DAH)
23.7.17: Returned to Tank Corps by APC orders
27.7.17: Admitted to Worgret Camp Hospital, near Wareham, with DAH.
19.9.17: Discharged
21.9.17: Re-admitted to hospital
1.10.17: Discharged from hospital and proceeded to Winchester for Invaliding Board
23.10.17: Discharged from Army due to disordered action of the heart following an attack of measles.
Pension Awarded 1917-18: 50% 1918-19: 40%, 11 shillings per week 1919-20 30%, 12 shillings per week
Medals Awarded: Ineligible for campaign medals as he did not serve overseas
Silver War Badge: 251380
Letters
Click here to read letters to Sudbury Smith from his brother Joe and from W Sansom, a friend
Military Personnel Address on 1918 Electoral Register
Bingham Road, Radcliffe on Trent
1921 Census
Address: Sydney Grove, Radcliffe on Trent
Employment: clerk in drawing office Cammell Laird and Co., railway carriage and wagon builder.
Household: living with wife Rosa, daughter Margaret Elizabeth (Peggy), Rosa’s father John Thomas Fryer, baker, her brother Jack, joiner’s apprentice at A Pyatt London Road, Nottingham, and Rosa’s grandmother Harriett Gray.
1922 Electoral Register
Address: Sydney Grove, Radcliffe on Trent
Household: living with father in law John Thomas Fryer Stafford
1939 Register
Address: Sydney Grove
Occupation: Manager, manufacturers’ wireless department, sales and services. Auxiliary fire service
Household: living with wife Rosa and daughter Margaret (Peggy), a clerical assistant in the civil service
Reason for inclusion on Radcliffe on Trent Roll of Honour
Lived and died in Radcliffe on Trent.