Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Smith, an agricultural labourer, born 1847 in North Witham, Lincolnshire and his wife Harriet Smith (nee Chambers, married in the 2nd quarter of 1876 in the Grantham, Lincolnshire district), born 1849 in Burley on the Hill, Rutland. George Arthur was born in the 3rd quarter of 1889 in Gunby, Lincolnshire, his siblings were, Charles, an agricultural labourer, born in the 1st quarter of 1877, Ernest, a schoolboy, born 1879, Laura, a schoolgirl, born 1881 and John William, a schoolboy, born 1886, all his siblings were born in Gunby, in April 1891 the family home was at 2, Village Street, Gunby. In March 1901 George was residing in the family home at Main Street, Sewstern, Leicestershire, together with his father, a domestic gardener, his mother and siblings, John, a general labourer and Alfred, born 1894 in Gunby. In April 1911 George was employed as a farm labourer, and was residing in the family home at Buckminster, Leicestershire, together with his father, a garden labourer, his mother and brother Alfred a farm labourer. On enlistment into the Coldstream Guards on the 27th June 1911 George gave his trade or calling as woodman. He first entered the theatre of war in France on the 13th August 1914, and was awarded the 1914 Star, British War and Victory medals. His elder brother Charles also fell.
The War Diary records: 17 Nov-14 – Trenches between FARQISSART and NEUVE CHAPELLE. A small mine was exploded in front of our trenches at 7.30am by the enemy, no damage was done. A patrol went out in the evening to explore the small crater and reported it unheld. A good deal of work to be done, very muddy and breastworks falling in everywhere. 1 Other Rank wounded. 1 casualty from stray bullet behind the lines. 2nd Lieutenant R. N. DILBEROGLUE returns from leave to England.
On Friday December 18th 1914 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “DISTRICT WAR ITEMS.” – BUCKMINSTER SOLDIER KILLED. – TRIED TO SAVE HORSES. – It is with great regret we record the death of Lance Corpl. George S. Smith, of Buckminster, which occurred in the engagement at Ypres on November 17th. He joined the Coldstream Guards in 1911, and his regiment was one of the first to go to France after war was declared. He went all through the battles of Mons, the Marne, and the Aisne with miraculous escapes. He was transferred to Ypres the day before his death, and had been on the machine gun for several weeks. The sad news was first conveyed to his parents by a companion, who stated that Smith saw from the trench that the house where the horses were stabled was on fire. He rushed to try and save the animals, but found they were both killed. When within a few yards of the trenches on his return he was killed instantly by a shell. Before re-joining his regiment at the commencement of the war Smith was serving as second chauffeur to H.R.H. the Princess of Battenburg. Great sympathy is felt for his sorrowing parents.
On Friday September 1st 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “DISTRICT WAR ITEMS.” – BUCKMINSTER SOLDIER KILLED. Lance-Corpl. C. Smith, of the Cheshire Regt., (eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Smith of Buckminster) was killed in action on the 15th July. Joining Kitchener’s Army soon after the outbreak of the war, he went to the front in December, and in March of this year was invalided home, suffering from debility, and removed to hospital in Birmingham. After recovering, he returned in June, and the communication received by his parents states that he was killed on July 15th. Before taking up duties in the army, Lance-Corpl. Smith was employed by Mr. Christie Miller, Stapley House, Nantwich. He was 39 years of age, and a single man. Lance Corpl. Smith was held in the highest esteem by the villagers of Buckminster, and the news of his death has been received with deep regret on all sides. Mr. and Mrs. Smith had another son who has given his life for his King and country, viz., Lance Corpl. G. A. Smith, of the Coldstream Guards, who was killed on November 7th, 1914. Another son Sapper Alfred Smith. of the R.E., is expecting to go abroad shortly, and Ernest, a fourth son, is hoping to join the army in the near future. He was rejected since Aug. 14th, and therefore will be required to present himself for examination at Lincoln before the Medical Board.