William Henry Smith (1862 - 1939)

Born 19 Oct 1862 in West Teignmouth, Devon, England, United Kingdom

Ancestors

Husband of Blanche Bessie Martha Mary (Brewer) Smith — married 24 Dec 1881 in Wesleyan chapel dist.of Islington, Middlesex, England

Husband of Jessie (Field) Smith — married 10 Nov 1917 in Geelong, Victoria, Australia

Descendants

Died 12 Sep 1939 at age 76 in Armadale, Victoria, Australia

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Denise Heath [send private message]

Biography

BIRTH;

William was born in 1862 at Higher Brook St in WestTeignmouth England and christened on 24th November the same year. His parents are listed as Henry Smith, cabinetmaker, and Harriet Smith formerly Coles. William is the only child of Henry and Harriet, but a stillborn child is listed for the previous year.

MARRIAGE;

William married Bessie Blanche Brewer in December1881,the marriage certificate showing his father Henry was deceased at this time. The Wedding at the Archway Road Wesleyan Church, Islington was witnessed by Herbert Herbert and Amy Catherine Clifford. Both Blanche and William were living in Huddleston Rd at the time.

(The 1881 Census London Middlesex taken in April have a William Smith born 1862 Devon, boarding at an Artesian Rd Paddington residence with a mrs Buchan aged 58, lodger housekeeper, widow, and other boarders. He is single and occupation given as Compositor.

Witnesses at William's wedding: In 1881 Census, Amy Catherine Clifford single, born Kent, aged 31, is a visitor at the home of Herbert Herbert who is 33, married with 3 children and a Commercial Traveller. Address is Kelly St Saint Pancreas London.(note Herbert Herbert may have married a Charlotte Brewer, daughter of James Brewer (1808) who was a brother of Charles Brewer (1813). So Bessie is 1st cousin of Charlotte Herbert).

EMMIGRATION:

William and Blanche with their first 2 of 6 children emigrated to Australia in 1886-87. The Otago Daily Times 5th July 1886 reports the arrival of The Arawa on 4th from Plymouth via Cape Town and Hobart, headed for Auckland in Third Cabin are Mr and Mrs Smith and 2 children. Also on board are Mr and Mrs Goodfellow and 2 children.

An article in The Age 14th March 1936 page 21:

An interesting souvenir of the Auckland-bound voyage of the Shaw, Savill and Albion Company's R.M.S. Arawa, 5026 tons, in 1886, is supplied by Mr W. H.Smith, who was a passenger. The Melbourne and Sydney passengers were landed at Hobart. The souvenir consists of a delicately artistic painting in the color of the vessel, mounted on a silver leaf not more than an inch in width. The names of all the passengers, 233 of them are printed in an accompanying folder. Two wax-stereotyped concert programmes also recall songs of fifty years ago, with Evangeline and Come into the Garden,Maud, occupying due place, with the Blue Alsation Mountains, Call Her Back and kiss her, and The Masher, Captain John stuart was the commander, Dr. A.L.A.Eccles the surgeon, and Mr. G.Row the purser.

At first I thought the reference to Mr.W.H. Smith might be a reference to William Howard Smith, shipping founder. However he died in 1890. Our William Henry Smith was still alive when this article was published.

Address at time of son's enlistment to AIF early 1916 is 27 Park St Parkville.

10th November 1916 they reside at Leith House Royal Parade Parkville. Bessie died in May 1916.

2nd marriage Following the death of his 1st love Bessie in May 1916, William married Jessie Field in Geelong on 10th November 1917. Jessie was 54 and a spinster and William was 55.

In 1918 William receives news his son Charles is killed in action 15th March 1918 at Olga Trench, Wgchaete. (Service No 2527). William writes to the Army 2nd April 1920 requesting the personal effects of his son be returned to them. Unfortunately his sons belongings were shipped from England on the 'S S Barlinga', this vessel having been lost at sea with all cargo, as a result of enemy action.William's address at this time was "Brondesbury" Coppin St Caulfield East.

William passed away in 1939 aged 76. His death certificate records his parents as Henry Smith and Harriet Coles, born Teignmouth England. His Will/Probate in Sept 1939 made his sons Sydney and George Executors. His address was recorded as 21 Moorhouse St Malvern. His occupation described as a Printer.

The following notes are from his late granddaughter, Wilma (Chaffey) Agg.

William worked in the Printing Industry in England as a compositor. He married Blanche Brewer in 1881 and lived at Tudor Road, Newton Abbott, Devon England. Their first and second children were born in England. William, Blanche, Olive and Charles sailed from England to Australia in 1887 aboard the ship "Ärawa", arriving 8th October 1887. (1886?) The last four children of William and Blanche were all born in Australia (first families record). When William arrived in Melbourne he worked at The Age newspaper with David Syme, as a Compositer, remaining there until he died in 1939. They lived in Parkville. He followed Fitzroy Football Team ardently, and took son Sydney to the match each Saturday. After Blanche died in 1916, William married Jessie Field (Mater) in Geelong on 10th November 1917. Mater was born 14/2/1853 and died 18/5/1948. They did not have children. William and Mater, Wilma remembers visiting them in a lovely big house in Moorhouse St Armadale. Wilma's parents and family lived in a small house in the same street. Wilma learned the piano on their Thummer when about 8 years old. Grandpa died when he collapsed in the street on his way home from work. He always worked at night. Mater went to Geelong to live with her sister.

William and his first wife Harriet are buried together at Coburg Pine Ridge Cemetery,Also buried here is their daughter Olive Blanch Jones and her husband Richard Hannaford Jones. Another name of Goodfellow, John, is also buried here aged 4 months. He died 11/5/1916. There isn't any reference to this child at the grave. The connection is not known yet. (See research notes)

Research Notes

Baby John Goodfellow was the infant son of Ruby Ruth Goodfellow ( nee Jordan) and John Clapton Goodfellow, born 1916, Preston Vic. His parents were married in 1914. His siblings were Alf and Eric b.1917. Eric died 1918 aged 1 at Preston. Also Keith, born 1921 died 1942 RAAF accident in Bairnsdale. Ruby died 1952 Preston and is also buried at Coburg with her children Eric and Keith. John Clapton died 1970 at Caulfield.

Further research required as unable to find a connection to the Smith family and why baby John is buried with William and Bessie. A possible explanation could simply be: A belief that a child who has died shouldn't be buried alone, but should be placed in the arms of another for comfort & protection. Also to avoid the expense of a separate coffin. Given baby Goodfellow and Bessie Blanche Brewer both died 11/5/1916, this is very plausible.

Update September 2019. A trip to Coburg Cemetery to visit William's grave shows the Headstone not to have any reference to John Goodfellow. The Headstone itself is hard to read but it details Bessie, William and their daughter Olive and her husband Richard and also their son Sgt Charles Smith, who is buried in Belgium, killed in Action March 1918.

Of interest re Goodfellows : Papers Past Search- Otago Daily Times 5th July 1886 - Shipping: Arrivals July 4th,The Arawa from Plymouth via Cape Town and Hobart. For Auckland, Third Cabin Passengers Mr and Mrs Goodfellow and 2 children, Mr and Mrs Smith and 2 children.

Sources

• Probate notice of will 18/9/1939 in The Age.
• Family documents
• First Families
• Marriage Certificates
• Birth Certificate Registered Newton Abbot, Teignmouth No 13 page 74
• 2nd Marriage to Jessie Field Vic Reg 7052/1917
• Vic Death Reg 9101/1939
• AIF Records of their deceased son Charles, Killed in Action.