Biography of Arthur SMITH
[Ref. Q.114]
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Index for SMITH |
Biography of Arthur SMITH
[Ref. Q.114]
| Profile | |
Index for SMITH |
Arthur Smith was born on 28 January 1890 in the village of Eynsford in Kent. He was one of the younger boys of the eleven children of Thomas and Mary Smith. His name and date of birth are recorded on the Family Register that his parents kept.
According to the census of 1881, he was living with his parents at 7 High Street in Eynsford. However, by 1891, the census records that they had moved to 6 Gibson's Cottages.
The census of 1911 shows that Arthur and his brothers Leonard and Frank were living with their widowed mother at Malt Shovel Cottages in Eynsford. His occupation was listed as being a Jobbing Gardner.
No official records of Arthur have been found from this point onwards, However, a relative had some recollections of him. She said that Arthur was chauffeur to Mrs Julie Bentley who owned Gilberts Laundry in Bexleyheath. She was short and fat and wore a wig. Arthur had expected to inherit from her but her wealth went to one of her sons, of which she had two by a previous marriage. Apparently Arthur was a real 'wide boy', he was fair and good looking and knew all the girls. His father would have rather he was not his son. To anyone who knows the plot of the film Alfie, it could have been a reflection of Arthur's life.
Arthur is said to have died of cancer but the date and place are not known.
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