Frederick was born on 23rd November 1898 to Alma and Maria (née Fisher) Smith. Alma’s father was Robert Smith (b. 1832) who lived in Clay Hall Cottages.
In the Suffolk Chronicle of 12th January 1861, Frederick’s grandfather, Robert Smith Snr. was sentenced to 10 days hard labour with Dennis Kerry for stealing turnips, valued at 3d, the property of Mr. Thomas Green, farmer of Badwell Ash. Times were very hard in the C18 for ordinary folk!
In the 1901 census, Frederick, aged 9 months, was living with his mother Maria, aged 31, a general Shopkeeper, at 46 Eastgate Street, Bury St. Edmunds. Also living with him is his brother Percival, aged 6 and two sisters, Edith aged 4 and Ada, aged 3.
In the 1911 census, Frederick, now aged 11, was still living at 46 Eastgate Street, Bury St. Edmunds with his mother, now aged 40, a widow and shopkeeper (born in Great Barton) together with his brothers, Percival G, aged 16, William, aged 6, Reggie, aged 4 and two sisters, Ada V, aged 13 and Dorothy, aged 1. Charles Pausey, a widower, aged 49 was also living with them as a boarder. He was described as a milkman.
Military and War: Frederick enlisted in Colchester, aged 18 years 6 months. He served as Private Regimental No. 59376 in the 51st Rifle Brigade on 4th February 1919. It is confirmed in his Service Record that he saw no overseas service and was discharged on the 29th October 1919. He was disciplined three times for laughing and talking whilst on parade. He was awarded a Certificate and War Badge in January 1921.
Post War: Married on 3rd December 1928 in South Croydon, Surrey to Mary Durrant. In the 1939 register, Frederick and Mary, now aged 41 and 36 respectively lived at 14 Barrow Road, Croydon where he is described as a Groundsman for a Golf Club. Frederick died in September 1972, aged 74 years old (Durrant Family Tree).
