Gilbert Samuel Smith

Full name Gilbert Samuel Smith, born at Headington Quarry in 1892, son of Reconcile Smith (known as ‘Rex'), labourer and, later, chimney sweeper, born in Baldon, Oxon., and Alice born in Warborough. In 1891 and 1901 the family were living at Chapman's Yard, High Street, Wheatley, by 1911 in Littleworth. Gilbert was then a general labourer also, but he had served in the Army earlier, as had brothers Alfred Edward, and Thomas (Royal Field Artillery). When attested on 19 August 1907 in Oxford, he was stated to be a brickmaker, his ‘master' being Mr J. W. Cooper of Wheatley, and he was assigned to the Oxfordshire Light Infantry with Regimental No. 7001. Discharged, he was again attested on 6 May 1908 in Reading and seems to have denied his previous service. He was assigned on this occasion as a Private to the Royal Berkshire Regiment with No. 8875. In late 1909 and early 1910 he was subjected to detention on three occasions for absence
without leave and ‘deficiency of kit'. Tried for the felony by the Civil Power in February 1910, he was sentenced to six months in jail, but was discharged on 30 May of that year. Doubtless he enlisted again for the Great War.

He lived at Littleworth, probably No. 31.