Rank
Brevet Colonel
Medals
None awarded for First World War
Regiment
Cameronians (Scottish Rifles), 8th Battalion
Military Service
FJ Smith was a very keen part time soldier and spent almost 30 years in the volunteer movement.
He was commissioned into the 4th Lanarkshire Rifle Volunteers as Lieut on 14th March 1885 while still only 18 years old. In 1887 the 4th Lanarkshire Rifle Volunteers became the 4th Volunteer Battalion, The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles). In 1908 with the conversion of the Volunteers into the Territorials the battalion was renumbered 8th Battalion, The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (TF). During this time Smith was steadily promoted until he reached the rank of Lieut Colonel and took command of the battalion in 1901. He was appointed Honorary Colonel in 1905 and retired in 1913.
Smith is included in the Glasgow Necropolis First World War Roll of Honour as it was expected he would take command of the newly raised 17th (Glasgow Chamber of Commerce) Battalion of the Highland Light Infantry in 1914 had his health not precluded him from doing so.
Born
Death
3rd June 1915
Circumstances of death
Died suddenly at home after a period of poor health.
Age
49
Burial
Glasgow Necropolis
CWGC Information
Parents
James Smith (1819-1888) & Jane Dott (1829-1904)
Fathers Occupation
Stockbroker, partner in James Watson & Smith
Siblings
Ann L M (b. 1851, d. in infancy), Ann L (1852-1923 [Mrs Schmalz], James (1854-1931), John (1856-1863), Mary Jane (1858-1914), Margaret M (1860-1887) [Mrs Newlands], Helen D (1862-1949), Agnes E (1864-1866), Arthur Henry (1871-1922)
Spouse
Mabel Cory (c1871-1962) mar 12th October 1892, London.
In January 1894 it was widely reported in newspapers that Mabel Cory of Cardiff had instituted proceedings at the Court of Session to have her marriage to FJ Smith annulled. In May 1894 she abandoned her action and at some point after that returned to live with her husband.
May M (1900-1901), Ian F C (1902- 1978), James M (1903-1906), Mabel V C (c1905-), Kenneth C C (c1908-), Audrey L C (1911-)
Education
Fettes College, left 1884
Occupation
Stockbroker, partner in James Watson & Smith
1871 Census
1881 Census
Fettes College, Carrington House
1891 Census
1901 Census
Abbotsville Villa, Monkton, Ayrshire
1911 Census
Fairfield House, Monkton, Ayrshire
Home Address
1915 – Fairfield House, Monkton, Ayrshire
Glasgow Necropolis
Compartment
Zeta Lair 191
Other Information
Col Smith’s medals were offered for sale at a price of £1150 (www.aberdeenmedals.com/shop.php accessed March 2015)
Acknowledgements and Sources
Rank
Brevet Colonel
Medals
None awarded for First World War
Regiment
Cameronians (Scottish Rifles)
Regiment Information
Cameronians (Scottish Rifles), 8th Battalion
Military Service
FJ Smith was a very keen part time soldier and spent almost 30 years in the volunteer movement.
He was commissioned into the 4th Lanarkshire Rifle Volunteers as Lieut on 14th March 1885 while still only 18 years old. In 1887 the 4th Lanarkshire Rifle Volunteers became the 4th Volunteer Battalion, The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles). In 1908 with the conversion of the Volunteers into the Territorials the battalion was renumbered 8th Battalion, The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (TF). During this time Smith was steadily promoted until he reached the rank of Lieut Colonel and took command of the battalion in 1901. He was appointed Honorary Colonel in 1905 and retired in 1913.
Smith is included in the Glasgow Necropolis First World War Roll of Honour as it was expected he would take command of the newly raised 17th (Glasgow Chamber of Commerce) Battalion of the Highland Light Infantry in 1914 had his health not precluded him from doing so.
Born
Death
3rd June 1915
Circumstances of Death
Died suddenly at home after a period of poor health.
Age
49
Burial
Glasgow Necropolis
5th June 1915
Smith was given a military funeral attended by many fellow officers connected to the Volunteer and Territorial movements. The coffin, on a gun carriage, was escorted by detachments of several battalions of the Cameronians and of the HLI and accompanied by pipers. The mourners were led by his 7 year old son Kenneth and his brother Arthur.
CWGC Information
Parents
James Smith (1819-1888) & Jane Dott (1829-1904)
Father's Occupation
Stockbroker, partner in James Watson & Smith
Siblings
Ann L M (b. 1851, d. in infancy), Ann L (1852-1923 [Mrs Schmalz], James (1854-1931), John (1856-1863), Mary Jane (1858-1914), Margaret M (1860-1887) [Mrs Newlands], Helen D (1862-1949), Agnes E (1864-1866), Arthur Henry (1871-1922)
Spouse
Mabel Cory (c1871-1962) mar 12th October 1892, London.
In January 1894 it was widely reported in newspapers that Mabel Cory of Cardiff had instituted proceedings at the Court of Session to have her marriage to FJ Smith annulled. In May 1894 she abandoned her action and at some point after that returned to live with her husband.
May M (1900-1901), Ian F C (1902- 1978), James M (1903-1906), Mabel V C (c1905-), Kenneth C C (c1908-), Audrey L C (1911-)
Education
Fettes College, left 1884
Occupation
Stockbroker, partner in James Watson & Smith
1911 Census
Fairfield House, Monkton, Ayrshire
Home Address
1915 – Fairfield House, Monkton, Ayrshire
Glasgow Necropolis
Compartment
Zeta Lair 191
1871 Census
1881 Census
Fettes College, Carrington House
1891 Census
1901 Census
Abbotsville Villa, Monkton, Ayrshire
Other Information
Col Smith’s medals were offered for sale at a price of £1150 (www.aberdeenmedals.com/shop.php accessed March 2015)
Acknowledgements and Sources
Credits
Compiled by Morag Fyfe, Historical and Genealogical Researcher for The Friends of Glasgow Necropolis.