Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Cornelius Smith, a shoe manufacturer, born 1855 in Anstey, Leics., and his wife Jemima Smith (nee Millican), born 1856 in Leicester. Benjamin, a boot trade worker, was born in 1882 in Anstey, Leics., his siblings were Fanny R., a forewoman, born 1877, Mary A., a forewoman, born 1879, Thomas, a boot trade worker, born 1881, Julia, a boot trade machinist, born 1885, Charles, a boot trade riveter, born 1887, Lilian, born 1892 and George, born 1894, all his siblings were born in Anstey, Leics., in March 1901 the family home was at Hollow Lane, Anstey, Leics. In April 1911 Benjamin was a cab proprietor, and was residing in the family home at Church Lane, Anstey, Leics., together with his wife of three years, Elsie Smith (nee Sudbury), born 1880 in Loughborough, Leics. On Friday September 14th 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS” – BARROW ON SOAR. LOCAL CASUALTIES.- Mrs B. Smith, Sileby Road, Barrow on Soar, has been notified that her husband, Pte. Ben Smith, of the Welsh Guards, has been wounded.