Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for the following research.
Gilbert Valentine Smithers was born on 18th March 1890 in Dorking, Surrey to veterinary surgeon Walter [Vernon] and Alice Margaret (nee Bishop). He was baptised on 16th December 1890 at St Martin’s church in Dorking. The family were living at 35 South Street, Dorking.
Gilbert had five siblings: Shirley W born about 1882 in Middlesex; Frank R. born about 1885; Violet Margaret born about 1895; Ruth Mary born about 1900 and Kathleen Clodagh born about 1902, all in Dorking.
At the time of the 1891 Census, the family were still living at 35 South Street, Dorking. Alice was looking after their children: Shirley, Frank and Gilbert. The household further comprised of a servant Alice K. Johnson.
At the time of the 1901 Census, the family were at 44 South Street, Dorking. The household comprised of their children: Gilbert, Violet and Ruth. The family employed a cook and a general servant.
At the time of the 1911 Census, the family lived at 22a South Street, Dorking. The household comprised Walter and Alice and their children: law clerk solicitor Gilbert, Violet, Ruth and Kathleen and a servant. Alice stated that she had given birth to six children. The house had eight rooms.
The 1915 Surrey, England Electoral Register reads that Gilbert lived at 22a South Street, Dorking. He occupied one furnished room on the 2nd floor at his father’s house.
Gilbert’s father Walter died on 14th February 1916. He left to his wife Alice, £29, 6s and 3d in the Probate.
Gilbert Smithers enlisted in May 1916 in Dorking into the 13th (Princess Louise’s Kensington) (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment. He was a Private with regimental numbers 5324 and 492274. At the time of his enlistment he resided in Dorking.
Pte Smithers disembarked on the 3rd of September 1916 in France.
At the time of his death, Gilbert belonged to the Lewis Gun Section. Gilbert Valentine Smithers was killed by a shell on the 19th of April 1917 in France.
He was exhumed and re-buried at the Wancourt British Cemetery in France. His grave reference number is: III.F.14. The headstone reads the inscription: “A Loving & Devoted Son & Brother.”
He received the British War and Victory medals.
PTE. GILBERT SMITHERS KILLED
Among the many Dorking lad who have made the great sacrifice for country is Pte. Gilbert V. Smithers, London Regiment, youngest son of Mrs. Smithers and of the late Mr. Walter Smithers, M.R.V.C.S. The sad news was received on Thursday afternoon from a Dorking friend of the deceased, Private Arthur Heal, who is in the same regiment, and who writes that Pte. Smithers was killed in action on April 18th. He belonged to the Lewis Gun Section and was killed by a shell. Pte. Heal in sending to the bereaved mother the sincere sympathy of himself and his comrades adds: “I am sure you feel proud of Gilbert, for he died a glorious death fighting for his country. “Greater love hath no man than this that he lay down his life for his friends.” Pte. Smithers joined the Army in May last, and went out to France in September, where he had been in action more or less ever since. The gallant soldier was for many years in the office of Mr. Frank C. Morrison (Clerk to the Reigate Board of Guardians and Rural District Council), and about four years ago he was appointed an assistant clerk (case tickets) and secretary to the Boarding-out Committee. Possessed of many amiable qualities and a rare aptitude for the work in which he was engaged, a strenuous and conscientious worker, he was much esteemed by the members of both bodies, and more particularly by the members of those committees with whom he was brought into more intimate contact. He gave every promise
of a successful future in Poor Law work, and his loss at an early age will be sincerely mourned. Pte. Smithers was a staunch upright Churchman; and a fine example of what a Churchman may become, who holding the Catholic faith in all its fullness, shrives to live up to his convictions. He was actively interested in the different organisations at St. Martin’s Church, for many years hon. sec. to the Guild of Servers, attached to the Order of the Guild of Servants of the Sanctuary, and an active member of the Local Chapter of St. Edward.
A PERSONAL TRIBUTE
[By H. B]
It was with something akin to a feeling of personal loss that I learnt that Gilbert Valentine Smithers had met with a soldier’s death on the field of battle. I had known him some five years purely in his business avocation, and though the acquaintance was not an intimate one it was sufficient to inspire the writer with a real respect for his sterling manly qualities, uprightness of character, and gentleness of disposition. He lived a quiet, Christian life, was unobtrusive, conscientious to a degree, punctilious in the performance of his duties, and possessed of an individuality that instinctively impelled confidence and won respect. It was always difficult to imagine that frail figure developing into a “Soldier of the King,” and yet he possessed a stout heart, an unwavering patriotism, an unswerving desire to do his “bit.” By members of the Reigate Board of Guardians
and Rural District Council, with whom his duties brought him into frequent contact, he was held in high esteem. The industry, zeal, and patience he invariably displayed won and merited their confidence and regard. At a time when the step meant more to him than, perhaps, to many he did not falter in taking the stern path of duty, a step that eventually led to a hero’s death and a soldier’s grave on the battlefield where is being waged the fight for England’s liberty and for everything that we as a nation hold dear and cherish. We are the poorer for his loss. We are the richer for the nobility of his example, the steadfastness of his purpose, the unswerving loyalty and devotion he displayed, and the grim, resolute courage with which we may imagine, he made the great sacrifice. With the bereaved mother heartfelt sympathy will go forth from all who had the privilege of knowing the son who in death, as in life “played the manly part.”
Gilbert Valentine Smithers Death Notice 28th April 1917 © Dorking Advertiser findmypast.co.uk.jpg
“The gallant soldier was many years in the office of Mr Frank C. Morrison (Clerk to the Reigate Board of Guardians and Rural District Council), and about four years ago he was appointed as an assistant clerk (case tickets) and secretary to the Boarding-out Committee. He gave every promise of a successful future in Poor Law work.”
THE LATE PTE. SMITHERS
The Clerk said since the last meeting of the Board Pte. Smithers, one of their assistant clerks, had been killed in action. A few days after they last met he received a telegram from his mother giving him the information. He was extremely sorry, and felt the blow keenly. Young Smithers was a gentlemanly, clean living young man. As a clerk he could not very well be surpassed, and he was a very amiable companion. There was no occasion for him to have joined up, but he would not apply for any exemption. He suggested that he should write a letter of sympathy to the mother as coming from the Board.
This was agreed to, and it was also decided to record his sad loss on the minutes.
Gilbert Valentine Smithers Death Notice 18th May 1917 © Surrey Mirror findmypast.co.uk
“Pte. Smithers was a staunch upright Churchman; and a fine example of what a Churchman may become. He was actively interested in the different organisations at St. Martin’s Church, for many years hon. sec. to the Guild of Servers, attached to the Order of the Guild of Servants of the Sanctuary, and an active member of the Local Chapter of St. Edward.”
“A GLORIOUS DEATH”
PTE. GILBERT SMITHERS (London Regiment)
“I am sure you feel proud of Gilbert, for he died a glorious death fighting for his country.” In these words Pte. Heal recorded the death of his chum and comrade, Pte. Gilbert V. Smithers, youngest son of Mrs. Smithers of Dorking, and of the late Mr. Walter Smithers M. R. C. V. S. A memorial service for the late Pte. Smithers (whose death was announced in our last issue) was held at the Dorking Parish Church yesterday (Friday) morning.
Gilbert Valentine Smithers Memorial Service Notice 5th May 1917 © Dorking Advertiser findmypast.co.uk
“He lived a quiet, Christian life, was unobtrusive, conscientious to a degree, punctilious in the performance of his duties, and possessed of an individuality that instinctively impelled confidence and won respect. It was always difficult to imagine that frail figure developing into a “Soldier of the King”, and yet he possessed a stout heart, an unwavering patriotism, and unswerving desire to do his “bit.” (1917 Dorking and Leatherhead Advertiser)
Gilbert of Old Cottage, High Street, Dorking left to his mother Alice: £116, 18s and 5d in the Probate.
He also left Mrs Smithers £1, 4s and 11d on 9th August 1917 and a further £3 on 22nd October 1919 in Soldier’s Effects.
Alice later lived at 2 Cliftonville, Dorking.
Smithers Family History
Gilbert’s father Walter was born in the 4th quarter of 1858 in Dorking to William and Elizabeth Smithers. Walter was baptised on 22nd December 1858 in Dorking.
His mother Alice Margaret Bishop was born on the 23rd of July 1861 in Woolwich, Kent to undertaker Charles, born about 1821 in Cobham, Surrey and Frances Charlotte, born about 1826 in Loughborough, Leicestershire. Alice was baptised on 14th August 1861 at St Mary Magdalene’s Church in Woolwich. At the time of her baptism the family lived at 60 Powis Street, Woolwich.
Walter married Alice in the 1st quarter of 1881 in the City of London.
At the time of the 1881 Census, Walter was a boarder of traveller Charles Burridge at 2 Primrose Street, London. Walter was a veterinary student. Alice was a boarder of housekeeper Jane Costin at 1 Ropemaker Street, London. Alice was a cashier at a butcher.
| Born | Dorking, Surrey | |
| Lived | Dorking, Surrey | |
| Son of | Alice M. and the late Walter Smithers of Cliftonville, Dorking | |
| Enlisted | Dorking, Surrey | |
| Regiment | 13th Battalion. London Regiment | |
| Number | 492274 | |
| Date of Death | 19th April 1917 | |
| Place of Death | France | |
| Cause of Death | Killed in action | |
| Age | 27 | |
| Cemetery | Wancourt British Cemetery, France |
