Edward Roslin Smith – 73 Casterton Road

Edward Roslin Smith came from an army background. His father Stephen was born in Wixford, Warwickshire and after a short period as a gardener joined the 2nd Battalion of the West Yorkshire Regiment. He had served in India, Gibraltar and the West Coast of Africa before he married Betsey Dumford at Ketton Church in December 1897.

Edward was born on 28th November 1899 at Aldershot by which time his father was serving in South Africa where he was awarded the Queen’s South Africa Medal for the relief of Ladysmith. He worked his way up through the ranks to Colour Sergeant in 1903.

In 1901 Edward and his mother were at The Rectory, Trowell, Notts where Betsey’s brother-in-law was a gardener. By 1906 when Edward’s sister Winifred Bessie was born the family were in York and in 1907 Stephen’s period of service ended after 21 years.

At some time between 1907 and 1911 they moved to 73 Casterton Rd. In the census Edward’s father was listed as an army pensioner and also Curator at the Conservative Club. Edward aged 11 years and his sister aged 5 years were both at school. A brother, Stephen Charles born 1904, was not listed with the rest of the family.

At the beginning of the War Stephen, Edward’s father, re-joined and served until September 1915. He was awarded the Silver War Badge but was then discharged as physically unfit. Edward himself enlisted in the 3rd Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment in May 1918 but he did not serve abroad. In 1919 he was a Lance Corporal based at Pembroke Dock.

Nothing is known about Edward after the war but his sister Winifred Bessie married H D M Ward in Stamford in 1927 and died in Peterborough in 1999.