George Smith 1896-1970

[angel~eyes]

I am looking for a birth/baptism for George Smith b 27 Aug 1896 (as stated on 1939 register) in London. I know he married my Great Grandmother in 1937 in Dudley, Staffs where he lived until his death in Dudley in 1970. I hadn't really thought much about him until my Mother called him her Grandad (only one she ever knew). I would like to find out more about him and figured his birth/baptism would be the best place to start. One interesting piece of info we do have is that he was a solider and he was a batman or similar to Field Marshal Montgomery (a pocket watch of his was passed down in the family) so possibly in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment. All info will be appreciated thank you in advance x

[softly softly]

Hi, his death registration would indicate a different birth year. 1939 war registers are often 1 year out.

SMITH    George    27Au1895    Dudley    9b   491   

John

[BumbleB]

Do you have the marriage certificate for George and Mary Ann?  That would give you, hopefully, the name of George's father.  FreeBMD suggests that Mary Ann's maiden name was Loundes.  And the 1939 register entry suggests that George and Mary Ann were in the same household as a Loundes family.

It is always best to work backwards, which is why I suggested seeing the marriage entry.

Good luck!

[ShaunJ]

As BumbleB says, the 1937 marriage would be a good place to start. That could give you his father's name and occupation,  names of witnesses, and his own address and occupation at the time.

Looking at army discharges, there is a G Smith with birthdate 27 August 1897, service number 5103380.

[angel~eyes]

Ooh John that's a good find been thank you. I am going on what my mother has said and her copy of 1939 register. This may open things up a little.

Bumblebee thank you no mc but a good point. Mary Ann was originally married to her second cousin also a Loundes and her maiden was Lounds. Super confusing x

[angel~eyes]

Shaun thank you that's a massive help x

[ShaunJ]

5103380 is a number allocated to the Royal Warwickshire Regiment in the 1920 renumbering.

https://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/soldiers/a-soldiers-life-1914-1918/new-british-army-numbers-issued-in-1920/

If that is him, his army records will still be with the MoD

https://www.gov.uk/get-copy-military-service-records

[angel~eyes]

Oooh thanks Shaun I wonder if my Mother would could as the eldest child of the eldest child even though he was really her step grandad x

[ShaunJ]

Oooh thanks Shaun I wonder if my Mother would could as the eldest child of the eldest child even though he was really her step grandad x

Anyone can apply but it will cost £30 and there is a long wait. And it would be a gamble on this being the right G Smith.

Do you have anything with his army number on? Medals?