Charles Walter Henry Smith
1892 - 1962
My grandfather, CWH (as he was known), was born on 10th July 1892 at 71 Standfield Road, Everton, Lancs.
CWH was the son of Charles Walter Smith (a customs officer) and Alice Jane (nee Newton), and very little is known of his early life, but we do know that he moved to Knutsford in Cheshire to take up a teaching post with the Egerton Boys School where he was appointed "Assistant Teacher" on the 16th August 1910.
He lodged with the Kennerley family in Manchester Road.
Between 1913 and 1915 he tried on numerous occasions to sit for the Civil Service Examination in Manchester, but it is suspected that he was unsuccessful at this !
The Great War caught up with the CWH and on the 14th February 1916, the school log reports that "...Mr Smith joined the forces his group having been called up for this day."
Little has been researched regarding CWH's army experiences but some family photographs record that he was appointed Sergeant (regiment not known).
Living with the Kennerley family must have had an effect on his romantic life, for on the 12th May 1916 he married a daughter of the household; Alice Kennerley.
With the war over, CWH was able to resume his post at the Egerton school, where the school log reports "2.2.1919 Mr Charles W H Smith resumed his duties after being in the army since Feb 14 1916" .
Finally in 1919 it would seem that CWH finally qualified as a teacher as the school log states "5.1.1919 Received notice from Ad. Sub. Committee that Mr Chas. W H Smith be graded as a provisionally certificated teacher for a period not exceeding two years from 1 April 1919 at a salary he is at present receiving" . It is possible that his teachers number was 19/6147.
His teaching career progressed with little event except that in the 1930's he had a spell as "acting head".
In 1932 he was made a M.R.S.T (Member Royal Society Teachers).
The final report in the school log is 31.3.1941:
"Mr CWH Smith after 31 years service ceased to be employed as an assistant teacher at 4.0pm today.
He is to be Head Master of the Church Junior School at Great Crosby."
This was the "St Lukes boys school" in Church Rd, Gt Crosby, Liverpool - a fact confirmed by a
page on St Lukes' church website.
The picture below show Charles seated in the middle, alongside my mother who also taught at the school.
At the age of 58, CWH retired from teaching and in 1951 he answered a "higher calling" and was ordained into the Church.
The Times for 1951 records that CWH was ordained as Deacon in May of that year and became Priest in December the same year. He was assistant curate at St. Michaels, Blundellsands - indeed Crockfords Clerical Directory of 1961-62 holds the following entry :
SMITH, Charles Walter Henry M.R.S.T
1932 d and p 1951 Liv [F in Scho Prof]
C.of St. Mich. Blundellsands,1951-52;
St Geo. Everton, 1952-53;
Rainford 1953-55;
V. of Ashley, Chesh. 1955-59;
Wheelock, Dio. Ches. from 1959, Wheelock Vicarage, Sandbach Ches.
On the 15th July 1962, CWH christened his grandson (me !) but only ten days later (25th July) he died of heart disease.
Sources.
Page created : 14th March 2000
Page amended : 9th March 2008