Edward Palmer Smith

[Maryam]

Hi Carole

Yes, I got a bit confused there, as I couldn't find Cyril or Edward in the 1901 together that fitted well.  Funny how Edward is a bachelor for the 1903 marriage 

[CaroleW]

Yes - I thought that too - particularly as I can't find him with a wife in 1891/1901 nor can I find Cyril in 1901

I think Cyril's birth cert is needed 

[JVH]

Well, a lot of activity.     I had seen some of the Smiths you have mentioned, but didn't think Edward would fit with being an engineer, as his occupation on his son's marriage certificate is "bootmaker".  Mind you, since he had a club foot himself, perhaps he put his engineering expertise to work on devising orthopedic appliances?  A possibility I guess.  Also my sister has told me what our grandmother (Cyril's wife) told her, which was that his mother was a drunk, and that his father (Edward) died of a broken heart when she left them.  Also, Cyril left home at the age of 14, so about 1916, and he then enrolled in the Army in Aug of 1915 (as shown on his Medal Index Card).

Does any of this help?

I suspect that getting a copy of the birth certificate through the GRO will be the way to go.

John

[JVH]

Sorry, got my math wrong, Cyril left home around 1906.

John

[Maryam]

Hi John 

Well, I did look for an army record for Cyril, but the only one I found was for a Cyril Charles of Edmonton, who was the son of a Charles Smith, and he enrolled in Nov 1914, so not your one.

However, if the Edward/Mary Ann marriage is correct, then Osgood the witness appears to be Edward's brother:

1901 Census
RG13 165 62 6
87 Hanley Road, Islington
William SMITH Head 79 retired surgeon; b London Chelsea
Elizabeth Wife 76; b Middlesex Edmonton
Osgood Son 32; temporary civ draughtsman, (war office) ; b London Clerkenwell

KR
Maryam

[CaroleW]

Hi

I suspect that getting a copy of the birth certificate through the GRO will be the way to goI

I honestly don't think we can progress further without it.  There is no match for what we know of him on either the 1901 or 1911 censuses so we need his mothers name and maiden name plus his fathers occupation to help us out.  

From the Medal Roll - he was Cyril Chas Greyson Smith Labour Corps 12th Co of London Regiment & Rifle Brigade Regimental Number: 360783

[JVH]

Yes, that's him.  I have a query in at the Great War forum for an interpretation of the "Action taken" field in his Medal Roll Index.  I've also just put in an order for the birth certificate for Cyril Charles G Smith of 1892. It'll likely be at least couple of weeks before I get the certificate (one wonders why the GRO doesn't offer emailing a high-res image of the certificate at a slightly cheaper price, and faster too?).

I'm really looking forward to seeing if we've got our man!

John

[CaroleW]

Keep this post open and when the cert arrives - post details from it so we can take it from there (hopefully)

[Annette7]

Found Edward Palmer Smith in 1901 - he is living with brother Percival and family in Tredegar, Sirhowy, Monmouthshire - single - aged 40 and no occupation shown although Percival is a Surgeon.   Ref. RG13 - 4939 - 77 - 6.

Annette