Born 14th August 1896
Died 29th April 1971
Edward was always thought of being part of Matthew Smith’s family who was my Great Grandfather and we always called him Uncle Edward. Over 15 years ago I started to research the Family Tree’s for Matthew Smith and Frederick Cockerham my Grandmothers Father, I sat and talked and went through the photographs I have about past family members with my cousin Marie Prince it turned out he was the half brother of my Grandmother Mary Jane Cockerham.
His mother was Sarah Ann Firth born January 1856, from Swillington whose first marriage was to Frederick Cockerham from Oulton on the 3rdJanuary 1874. according to her burial record at Swillington Church her place of birth is recorded as Beckside, South Lakeland District, Cumbria. But on the Census record for 1881, 1891, 1901 and 1911 her birth place is shown as Swillington. Frederick died 3rdSeptember 1882. She married Samuel Smith in 1895 and had two children Edward and Albert.
Edward was born in 1896 and was baptised on the 5th April 1896 at St Mary;s the Less at Allerton Bywater. On the 1901 Census he is aged 5 and living with his mother Sarah Ann and her children from her first marriage, Walter Cockerham age 21, Mary Jane age 19 (my grandmother) Ernest age 16, Arthur age 13, Frederick age 10 and his brother Albert Smith age 2 at Carlton Terrace, Allerton Bywater (Now 104 Leeds Road)
In 1911 age 15 his occupation is Coal Miner Driver, living at 3 Carlton Terrace, Allerton Bywater (now 106 Leeds Road) with Step Father James Taylor from Tunstall, Staffordshire, his mother (Sarah Ann married James Taylor in ????), Arthur Cockerham age 23 occupation Coal Miner Hewer, Frederick Cockerham age 20 occupation Coal Miner Byeworker, and his brother Albert smith age 13 (at school) In the period between 1911 and 1918 Edward and Albert were not happy about the way James Taylor was treating their Mother and they took her away from him, and I think my Grandparents Patrick and Mary Jane must have taken them in. On the 1921 Census James Taylor is living by himself at No 2 Cross Carlton Terrace at Woodend.
During the 1st World War Edward enlisted on the 12thFebruary 1915 at Pontefract, Height 5ft 7 3/4 inches, Chest 34 ½ inches, Brown Hair and Grey eyes. Form signed by his Stepfather James Taylor.
His regiment was Coldstream Foot Guards at Victoria Barracks, Windsor. Private No 25581.
Discharged and transferred to Army Reserves on the 11th December 1918.
In 1921, age 25years 3 months, occupation Coal Miner Hewer for the Airedale Colliery Co at Allerton Bywater Colliery, living at 2 Carlton Terrace, Allerton Bywater. Also living there are his half sister Mary Jane Smith (nee Cockerham) her husband Patrick Smith age 42years 4months occupation Coal Miner Hewer, Alice Smith age 15 years 2 months, Hilda Smith age 9years 11 months and his brother Albert Smith age 23years 2 months, occupation Underground Pony Driver at Allerton Bywater Colliery. On the 1939 Register Edwards occupation Coal Hewer.
He did get engaged as young man but it did not turn out to be a happy relationship and his girlfriend broke up with him and he remained single for the rest of his life, I wonder if the young lady on the left in the photograph No 2 is the girl he got engaged to, something we will never know.
Jessie Simpson on the right eventually married Albert Smith.
Edward used to go to the Rugby League Cup Final at Wembley Stadium every year, always bringing fabulous presents home for my brother and me, we were very lucky to get these type of presents as I don’t think you would have been able to get the type of presents he brought home anywhere around here plus they would have been too expensive for a married man with children to buy. His two closest friends were Sammy Hoult who lived at No 4 Carlton Terrace and Sammy Dunn (ex Navy) who I think lived at Preston. He enjoyed going to the Edward V11 WMC for a pint or two of Tetley’s and as a young man he used to go to Castleford and drink in the Ship Inn. He set himself up in business as a Bookmaker and lost what money he had.
During my childhood I can remember him reading the daily episode of “Rupert The Bear” to me from the Daily Express and when he was on afternoons I would sit with him and listen to “Listen with Mother” on the radio.
When he retired he would join the other ex miners on the seat that was located at the side of the road near Ashworth’s Shop (now Kwok Bo, Chinese Takeaway) and watch the world go by. In later life he suffered from Chest and breathing problems as many Coal Miners did and was admitted to the Headlands Hospital in Pontefract for about six weeks to give my mother a break from looking after him; he then decided he was in the Workhouse (The Headlands was a Workhouse at one time) and kicked up a fuss and signed himself out. Edward died on the 29th April 1971
Guide to Photographs.
1 – Edward as a young man
2 – Back row, Edward and his Mother Sarah Ann Smith nee Cockerham. Unknown, Albert Smith, Jessie Simpson.
3- Edward in his Army Uniform
4 – Group photograph of Edward and the 3rd Platoon, Grenadier Guards. Edward is on the front row right hand side.
5 – Samuel Smith, Edwards Father.
6 – Sarah Ann Smith nee Cockerham
Other photographs are some documents from the Army, his Edward VII Club Membership Cards, RAOB Membership. Alfred’s transfer to the Army Reserve. Long membership badge for the N.U.M, Tie stick pin, Two Vesta Cases, the one like a book is also has a section for stamps, these are not made of Silver I would imagine they would be more affordable for the working man, His Active Service Testament 1918 Book.
