Wilfred Smith
Smith Brothers
John McDowell Smith married Margaret Stout at Teesdale in the summer of 1882. The couple went on to have 12 children although sadly 1 died. Of the 11 siblings remaining there were six sons and five daughters as follows:-
John William Stout 1880 -1917; Sarah Jane 1884 -1946; Alfred 1888 – 1918; George Henry 1890 -1916; Margaret 1892 – 1954; Robert 1894 – 1916; Frederick 1897 – 1917; Wilfred 1898 – 1968; Elizabeth 1901 -1997; Kathleen 1903 – 1977; Lillian 1906 - ??
Wilfred was born at Barnard Castle July 19th 1898.
The 1901 census shows the family living at Oliver’s Yard, Bridgegate, Barnard Castle. His father was a chimney sweep whilst Alfred and sister, Sarah both worked as machine minders at the flax mill.
By 1911 the family of now ten were living in three rooms. The older children were working mainly as mill hands at Ullathorpe’s flax mill. George was a yarn washer, Margaret a swifter, Robert a labourer, 12-year-old Frederick a flax dresser and Wilfred still at school.
Wilfred enlisted on February 19th 1917 into the Army.
Wilfred was transferred to the Royal Flying Corps on January 8th 1918 with service number 127782. He was 5' 1¾ inches high. He had been a factory labourer.
The Teesdale Mercury 21/08/1918 reports:-
The Rev. H.W.H. Bircham, Vicar of Barnard Castle, has interceded with the military authorities on behalf of Mr and Mars Smith of Bridgegate, who have lost five sons in the war, in relation to the sixth son, Private Willie Smith, of the Royal Air Force. The latter is now on furlough and it is understood that a humane feeling exists having in view the terrible toll by death sustained (by) the family and that the bright young soldier now in the town may accordingly have consideration extended to him in the nature of his future service. Private W. Smith has been on active service in France for over a year.
The Teesdale Mercury 28/08/1918 reports
Mrs Bircham of the Vicarage, Barnard Castle, has received the following letter in reply to a communication which she addressed to Her Majesty the Queen on Friday week, on the subject of the heavily bereaved Smith family in Bridgegate: Buckingham Palace 20th August 1918: I am commanded by the Queen to thank you for your letter of the 16th instant and to request you to be good enough to convey to Mr and Mrs Smith of Bridgegate Barnard Castle, an expression of Her Majesty's deep sympathy with them in the sad losses they have sustained by the death of their five sons. The Queen has caused Mr and Mrs Smith's request concerning their youngest son to be forwarded for consideration of the War Office authorities, I am yours truly, Edward Wallington, Private Secretary to Her Majesty the Queen
The Teesdale Mercury 09/10/1918 reports:-
Mrs Bircham has received a letter dated October 5th, from major C. Summers, for Director of manning, setting forth that in relation to the letter addressed to her Majesty the Queen regarding Private W. Smith, Bridgegate, instructions have been given for this airman to be returned to England and posted as near as possible to his home at Barnard castle, on compassionate grounds. It is generally known that Mr and Mrs Smith have had five sons killed in the war.
Wilfred spent the last few weeks of his service at Ripon.
The WWI Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 show that for some years Wilfred received a pension for Gas Poisoning following his discharge from the R.A.F. February 28th 1919.
His father John McDowell Smith died in 1923 and his mother Margaret on October 13th 1923 was asked to lay a wreath at the dedication of the Barnard Castle War Memorial in the grounds of Bowes Museum. Margaret died in 1924.
Wilfred had married Hannah C. Alderson at Leyburn North Yorkshire in 1920 and the couple had at least three children, including Ronald 1921, Wilfred 1922 and Margaret 1924. In 1939 they were living at 62 Galgate and Wilfred was a mason.
Wilfred Smith died in 1968.
On November 11th 2018 members of the Smith family gathered to remember their relatives- the six Smith Brothers of Barnard Castle.
The photograph includes clockwise from left to right Alfred, George Henry, Frederick and John. The inset is of Wilfred in later life. No photograph has been found of Robert.
