Roy Townsend New does appear in Canadian archive as a home child, sent in 1920 by National Children’s Home.
The records might be held in local archives but there should be some info available about Roy, and possibly about Fanny, that mention Albert, as the location of the father/husband was often of interest to authorities (from the point of view that he should be paying for them if he was around). If you're lucky they'll say something about where he was, or at least give you a better idea of when he left the area (if he did).
As to the Smee marriage - Albert James New and Maude Louise New are on the census togther in 1921 in Reading, so unless your man added 10 years to his age and a new middle name, not him.
