George Barker Smith, born on 8th August 1882, was admitted to King Edward’s School in September 1893. He was the only son in his family, living with his father, George, a bedstead manufacturer, his mother, Jane, and his four sisters at 27, Clarendon Road, Edgbaston.
George was a pupil of the Modern School, studying a primarily scientific, rather than a classical, curriculum. The School Lists show that although he was below average in most of his subjects, he was relatively strong at science, placing 8th in his class of 26th in his penultimate year.
Upon leaving School, George entered the office of Phipson and Warden Ltd., of which his father was managing director, and afterwards he became a director himself. He then joined the firm Bowley, Preece and Co. Ltd., as a director, working there for the rest of his civilian career. All his life, George was connected with Edgbaston Congregational Church and he took an active part in the work of its Sunday school for some years.
George married Miss Elsie Dibble on April 4th 1916, just before leaving for France as a Private Soldier with the 26th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, in May. He was wounded at Étaples on 12th October 1916, dying on that same day. He was buried at Étaples Military Cemetery, France. At the request of his father, his epitaph reads: “The spirit of the Lord caused him to rest”. He left his estate of £1,323 to both his wife, Elsie, and his father, George.