Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Robert Smith, a bricklayer’s labourer, born 1861 in Loughborough, Leicestershire and his wife Mary Smith (nee Harper, married in the 2nd quarter of 1879 in the Loughborough, Leicestershire district), a charwoman, born 1861 in Loughborough. William, a schoolboy, was born in the 1st quarter of 1883 in Loughborough, his siblings were, Leonard, an errand boy, born 1880, Clara, a schoolgirl, born 1881, Bernard, a schoolboy, born 1885, James, a schoolboy, born 1886, Bertha, born 1888 and Miriam, born 1890, all his siblings were born in Loughborough, in April 1891 the family home was at D Court, Wards End, Loughborough. In March 1901 William was absent from the family home at 19, Bedford Street, Loughborough, residing there was his father, a bricklayer’s labourer, his mother, a charwoman and his siblings, Bernard, a hosiery trade worker, James a hosiery trade worker, Bertha, a hosiery trade turner, Miriam and Beatrice Eveline, born 1894 in Loughborough, William was employed as a hosiery framework knitter and was residing as a boarder at Saddington Road, Fleckney, Leicestershire. In April 1911 William was employed as a general labourer and was residing in the family home at Asfordby, Leicestershire together with his wife Bertha Smith (nee Garner, married in the 2nd quarter of 1903 in the Market Harborough, Leicestershire district), born 1883 in Fleckney and their children, Maud, born 1904 in Fleckney, Nellie, Born 1907 and Leonard, born 1910, the latter two children were both born in Loughborough. After the 1911 census, William and Bertha had two further children, they were twins, Beatrice A. and Frederick, born in the 2nd quarter of 1914, they were born in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district. William embarked to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 29th July 1915.
The War Diary records: 19 Jan-16 - Considerable artillery activity on both sides, several German working parties were dispersed by our fire from machine guns. About 70 shells fell in the sector, chiefly on “B” and “D” Companies. Not much damage done and no casualties. No. 16253 Pte. W. N. SMITH was killed by a bullet, “A” Company.
On Friday February 4th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” ASFORDBY SOLDIER KILLED. (A photograph accompanied the article). Pte. Wm. Smith, of the 6th Leicester’s, of Asfordby, was killed in action on the 19th January. He was a native of Loughborough, but had resided at Asfordby for six years, and prior to joining the army worked at the Holwell Iron Works. He joined the army 12 months ago last November, and has been abroad six months. It appears he was leaving the trenches for a rest when the top of his head was blown clean off. Deceased was well known in local football circles having played for Holwell Works. He was 33 years of age, and leaves a widow and five children, for whom much sympathy will be felt.