Born Hull 1882. Son of James Smith (1851-1918) and Elsie Barnard (1849-1922), of 39, Havelock Street, Hull (1901 census) and 320, St Georges Road Hull (1911 census). Son of a Factory Foreman. he had four brothers and two sisters.
He was a Hull School Teacher and School master, employed by the Hull Education Committe.
Married in 1910, aged 27, at Princess, Avenue, Methodist, Church, Hull. Husband of Alice Leggott (1883-1929. They lived at 53 Hardy Street, Cottingham Road, Hull, (1911 census). They had two sons, Arthur James and David John Smith.
He enlisted at Hull, on 26 May 1916. Served with the 3rd East Yorkshire Regiment, in England. Discharged with Bronchitis, on 20 Sept 1918. Awarded the Silver War Badge (No: 498590).
He died at Hull on 31 Mar 1919, aged 37. His war pension went to his widow, Alice who moved to 86, South Cliffe Road, Withernsea.
