Robert Smith was a carpenter who married in Norfolk in 1935 and had two Chelmsford-born children before the war. He served in the army and was killed in action in Italy during the Battle of Monte Casssino. His home was in Bruce Grove.

Robert SMITH, Private, 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment

Killed in Italy. Aged 38

Robert married Gertrude Lilian Trollope in Norfolk in 1935 and the couple went on to have a daughter born in 1935 and a son born on 21st February 1939, both in the Chelmsford registration district. When they were baptised in 1935 and 1939 Robert and his wife were living at 48 Bruce Grove, Chelmsford and he was a carpenter.

During the Second World War Robert served as Private 14601593 in the 2nd Battalion, of the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment.

He was killed in action in Italy on 1st April 1944. He was 37 years old. At the time of his death Robert's wife and two children were still at 48 Bruce Grove. His parents lived at Sperling's Farm in Great Dunmow.

Today Robert lies in Cassino War Cemetery in Italy (grave XII. J. 8.).

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Robert was born in Great Easton in 1907, the second son of Walter Smith (born in 1875) and Elizabeth Baker (1878-1944). Robert's siblings included Lily Smith (born in 1900),

Emily Elizabeth Smith (born in 1901), Charles Smith (born c1903 ), Elsie Smith (born in 1905), and Beatrice Annie Smith (born in 1910).

In 1911 the census recorded Robert, aged four, living with his parents and five siblings at Sparling's Farm in Barnston.