CHARLES SMITH
From May through to September 2026, Andrew will be fulfilling his dream to hike the iconic Land’s End to John O’Groats! You are all warmly invited to follow Andrew’s epic journey on his Facebook page, “Andrew Beal LEJOG” https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577588795730
As Andrew hikes the 1,300+ miles, he will raise funds for the Ipswich War Memorial Project to help finance our future exhibitions and research of the brave Ipswich men and women who lost their lives in conflict. If you would like to make a small donation, please click on the link: https://gofund.me/5d4a50570
Thank you for your love and support. Andrew & Helen – I.W.M.P.
Born: 10th December 1877, at 8, Frost’s Court, Tanner’s Lane, Ipswich.
Died: 11th March 1916; age 39; died of Gun Shot Wounds at Etaples.
Residence: 8, Little Gipping Street, Ipswich.
Enlistment Location: Ipswich.
Rank: Private; Service Number: 3/7890
Regiment: Suffolk Regiment, 2nd Battalion.
Formerly 2735, Suffolk R.F.A.
Medals Awarded: Victory, British War and 1914 Star.
Grave Reference:
VI.D.12.
Pas de Calais,
France.
Relatives Notified & Address: Son of the late Eleanor Smith; husband of Susannah Smith of 9, Mount Street, St. Peter’s, Ipswich.
CENSUS
1881 3, Rose Yard, Lady Lane, St. Matthew’s, Ipswich.
Charles was 3 years old and living with his widowed mother, father, stepbrothers and sisters.
William Martin, 36, a groom and horse clipper, born Horningsheath, Suffolk.
Eleanor Smith (nee Grimwood), 43, a Washerwoman, born Needham Market, Suffolk.
James Smith, 22, a Shoemaker, born Needham Market.
Edward Smith, 21, a Shoemaker, born Needham Market.
Sidney Smith, 13, born Needham Market.
William Martin Smith, 11, born Barham, Suffolk.
Anna Smith, 1, born Ipswich.
Kate Smith, 3 months, born Ipswich.
1891 8, Little Gipping Street, Ipswich.
Charles was 14 years old, and he was living with his mother, stepbrother and siblings.
Eleanor, 52, Housekeeper.
James, 32, a Shoe Rivetter.
William, 22, a Shoe Finisher.
Kate, 10.
1901 68, Bramford Road, St. Matthew’s, Ipswich.
Charles was 25 year old and a Railway Labourer for the Great Eastern Railway Goods. He was a Lodger at the home of 42 year old widow Eliza Setchell and her two daughters.
1911 8, Little Gipping Street, Ipswich.
Charles was 34 years old and a General Labourer. He lived with his widowed partner and his partner’s brother.
Emma Jane Pratt (nee Fayers), 35, born Ipswich.
Arthur Robert Fayers, 33, a Dock Labourer, born Ipswich.
Alice Green, 63, born Ipswich.
On the 20th August 1895, at St. Matthew’s Church, 20 year old Charles, a labourer, married 20 year old Susannah Eliza Curtis, born 1877, Ipswich – daughter of William Curtis, a bricklayer, and Louisa Elizabeth Curtis (nee Brighton), of Ipswich.
Susannah and Charles had five children, of whom three survived:
Charles William Smith, born 21st February 1895, Ipswich and baptised on the 18th March 1896, at St. Matthew’s Church, Ipswich – family home at 4, West Court, Lady Lane, St. Matthew’s, Ipswich.
Rose Smith, born 1897, at 4, West Court, Lady Lane, St. Matthew’s, Ipswich.
Walter Henry Smith, born 21st May 1902, at 4, West Court, Lady Lane, St. Matthew’s, Ipswich and taken for baptism by Susannah Smith on the 5th November 1918, at St. Mary Stoke Church, Ipswich – family home 49, Hawes Street, Ipswich. At the time of Walter’s birth, Charles Smith was a railway labourer.
Charles Smith left Susannah and their surviving children to live with Emma Jane Pratt, a widow.
After her husband left, Susannah and the children first lived with her parents in Chapel Yard, Ipswich. In 1911, Susannah was employed as a land worker for Mr. May, a market gardener, of Foundation Street, Ipswich. She was head of the household with her two sons and widowed mother, Louisa Curtis, at their family home – Bloomfield Buildings, Stoke Street, Ipswich.
Emma Jane Pratt (nee Fayers) was married in September 1895, Ipswich, to John Isaac Pratt, a seaman. John Pratt died in March 1906 in Ipswich, aged 30.
Soldiers’ Effects to Mrs. Emma Jane Pratt – partner.
Charles is also remembered on the war memorial at St. Mary at the Quay Church, Ipswich.
Suffolk Regiment, 2nd Battalion
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