Anyone fancy a challenge?

[newburychap]

I have a photograph dating from 1917 (give or take a year) featuring a man who is described but not named.

Facts given in the caption to the photo: 

He is the son of Mrs Smith of 208 Southampton Street, Reading.

He worked as a postman for 12 years - some if not all of the time at Newbury.

He served in the Boer War.

He re-enlisted at the start of the war.

He was a prisoner of war in Germany having been captured in September 1914.

So who was he?  I have been unable to find a Newbury postman called Smith, but his mother may have remarried.

For info:

Some Newbury postmen in 1913 (there will have been others):

Brown, W
Burden, J
Bolton, J E
Clark, C
Fleck, W
Freeman, W
Goddard, F
Harris, W
Ilses, L
Jordon, F
Start, W
Taylor, E G
West, B
Winterbourne, R
Witts, J R

[Sandgrounder1]

1911 census

Moderator comment: 1911 census details removed. Our policy has not changed

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=355486.0


Maybe you can cross-reference these to srmy records.

[Jool]

Hi, I searched the address online and came up with this article with 4 photos of prisoners of war, one entitled "PRISONERS AT DOEBERITZ. One of the men in this group is the son of Mrs. Smith, 208, Southampton St., Reading."

http://www.rootschat.com/links/01kyk/

[tazzie]

1901 has a Private Samuel Smith in the barracks at Cowley aged 19.

RG13/1383 f14p12.......born Reading St Giles.


Tazzie

[Jool]

1891 has Samuel Smith b. 1882 Reading at 138 Southampton Street, Reading with his father Samuel and MOTHER ELIZABETH.

RG12 / 995 Fol 39 PG 29

Added: For anyone looking he is listed as Sam, not Samuel.

[tazzie]

Look...looking good.

Tazzie

[Jool]

Sam Smith was appointed a postman at Reading in Nov 1910.  He is listed on the original image as Samuel, but the "uel" at the end of his name has been crossed through.  Image on Postal Service Appointment Books.

[giblet]

Reading Private Residence Directories
Kellys 1919

Smith Mrs E. 208 Southampton St

[giblet]

Reading Mercury - Saturday 28 January 1939

The Head postmaster of Reading yesterday [Friday] presented the Imperial Service Medal and parchment to Mr Sam Smith, of 31 Palmerstone Road, Early, who retired from his duties as postman on Dec. 24th. Mr Smith who retired for reasons of health had completed over thirty - seven years in the service of the state. He commenced his duties as a postman in Reading in Nov. 1909 and before that he served in the army from January 1901 to August 1909. He was recalled to colours in August 1914, and remained in active service until March 1919., when he left the army with the rank of company-sergeant-major. During his 29 years service in the post office he discharged his duties with zeal and ability and he was a great favourite with his colleagues. He would have retired in the ordinary course of events four years hence.