Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Frederick Smith, a framework knitter, born 1851 in Smeeton Westerby, Leicestershire and his wife Caroline Elizabeth Smith (nee Gee, married in the 4th quarter of 1874 in the Leicester district), born 1849 in Whetstone, Leicestershire. William Frank was born in the 4th quarter of 1887 in Smeeton Westerby, his siblings were, his siblings were, Mary Ann, a hosiery trade worker, born 1875, Edith Emily, a schoolgirl, born 1878, May Elizabeth, a schoolgirl, born 1881, Louisa, a schoolgirl, born 1883, Bertie, a schoolboy, born 1885 and Edgar, born in the 2nd quarter of 1890, all his siblings were born in Smeeton Westerby, in April 1891 the family home was at Main Street, Smeeton Westerby. In March 1901 William was employed as a hosiery trade worker was residing in the family home at Main Street, Smeeton Westerby, together with his father, a hosiery trade worker, his mother and siblings, Edith Tarry, May, a hosiery trade worker, Louisa, a hosiery trade worker, Bertie, a hosiery trade worker and Edgar, also residing with the family was William’s brother in law, Walter Tarry, a hosiery trade worker, born 1879 in Walton, Leicestershire. In April 1911 William was employed as a hosiery trade worker and was residing in the family home at Smeeton Westerby together with his father, a hosiery trade worker, his mother and brother Edgar, a grocery assistant. William’s younger brother died of wounds received in action in 1918.
The War Diary records: 26 Sept-17 - D.20a.8.5. At 3.15am our preliminary bombardment started. At 5.50am our barrage opened and leading waves of the C and D Companies went over the top to time followed by B Company at distance of 100 yards. At 6.10am the 4th LINCOLNSHIRE REGT crossed our trench and went up in support. At 10.00am following message received by telephone, “half way to first objective, casualties light progressing satisfactorily”. At 6.20am first German prisoners began to come in helping many of our wounded. At 6.20am following message received. “First objectives taken, casualties light consolidation proceeding”. Consolidation proceeded with satisfactorily under rather heavy shell fire. We found all current emplacements smashed in by our artillery. We used B Company as defensive Company to our right flank. Our casualties up to now approximately 70 including Captain A. SILVER, 2nd Lt. J. C. SMITH. 11.30am news came through that the LINCOLNSHIRE REGT had taken all objectives and were consolidating. Our barrage fire continued practically all the day with all intensity hitherto unprecedented. The Germans also shelled the whole area continuously and our casualties mounted steadily. Battalion has moved to D.20a.8.5. 6.30pm owing to a misunderstanding certain troops holding front trenches in our Brigade sector were seen to withdraw. This unfortunately provided a more or less general retirement along the whole front. Although very few men of this Battalion left the trenches. By the efforts of officers the retirement was stopped at the old British front line and a general advance commenced. The trench system was all reoccupied and reorganisation of various units proceeded with by 7.45pm. During the day we captured 5 machine guns and 2 bomb throwers.