Walter John SMITH

A working life around horses

Walter John Smith’s civilian work brought him close to horses long before veterinary service. Born at Witham, Essex, to John and Ellen Smith, he worked first as a stableman and later as a coachman. The family photograph and local memorial research also preserve something of his life with Amelia and their sons.

The Chelmsford memorial research places the sixteen-year-old Walter with his widowed uncle, William Poulter, in Hove in 1901. Both worked as stablemen. By 1911 Walter was a coachman living with his wife and eldest son at Witton Mews in London.

Amelia and the family photograph

Walter married Amelia Clarke in 1908. They had two sons, Walter John and George Bertram. After moving to Chelmsford, he worked as a greengrocer and coal merchant. The family photograph shown here was supplied to the research collection in August 2026; the Chelmsford memorial identifies the group as Walter, Amelia and their sons.

Service in France

Walter served as Sergeant SE/9512 in the Army Veterinary Corps, attached to the 94th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. He entered France on 9 September 1915 and received the 1914–15 Star.

Death and remembrance

Walter died of wounds on 29 May 1918, aged thirty-three. He is buried in grave B. 9 at Coulommiers Communal Cemetery. The CWGC particulars transcribed in the master identify Amelia’s address as 1 Chelmer Place, Springfield Road, Chelmsford.

A family notice reproduced by the Chelmsford memorial dates his wounds to 27 May. He is commemorated on Chelmsford’s Civic Centre Memorial and the Springfield parish memorial at All Saints’ Church.