Capt Henry Johnstone Smith, RNAS

 

1875 May 1. Born Kensington

1881 census at Weybank House, Portsmouth Road, Guildford St Nicholas

Educated at Dulwich College

1891 census at 180, Holland Road, Kensington

1905 Jan/Mar. Married in Eastry, Kent to Wife was Isabel J Southwood

1910 to 1914 He was a journalist (from his RAF record)

1911 census living at 79 Esmond Road, Bedford Park, Acton W, a journalist with Medical Paper Co.

1912 Jan 29 Born the only child of the marriage, Joseph Tabor Smith

1914 Sep 13. 4th Reserve Battalion, The Buffs (East Kent Regiment) ; Henry Johnstone Smith to be Second Lieutenant.

1914 Oct 25 Posted Tregantle Training Establishment - Navy. His Naval record is somewhat brief

1915 Jun 13 Promoted Lt RNVR and posted to Wormwood Scrubs, which was the HQ for the Royal Naval Armoured Car Division of the RNAS up to its disbandment in 1915, it was based at the Daily Mail airship hanger but most of the base was at the Clement-Talbot Motor Works in Barlby Road, Notting Hill. After the disbandment of the RNACD No20 Squadron stayed there doing experimental work mostly on the development of the tank.

1917 Oct 25 Posted to Tregantle

1918 Apr 1. Transferred to RAF with rank of Capt (administrative). His address is given as 79 Elsham Rd, Kensington

1918 Sep 28 Posted to RAF Depot, Stamford.

1919 Feb 3. Attached to 27 Group Chelmsford

1919 Jul 13. Posted to Wireless Information Station, Biggen Hill

1919 Sep 20. Transferred to unemployed list

1920 Jul 27 Joined ADRIC with service number 14. Posted to A Coy Kilkenny

1921 Mar 4. Posted to Group HQ Cork.

1921 Sep 3.Posted to Depot Coy

1921 Aug 12. Re-engaged with ADRIC for a further contract

Then there is a note saying he resigned but does not say when,

1931 Jul. His address is given as 100 Cambridge St, Westminster (RAF file)

1935 Oct 28. Divorce Court File: Appellant: Isabel Smith. Respondent: Henry Johnstone Smith. Type: Wife's petition for divorce

1936 Oct. A note on his RAF file indicates his address to be now 120 Draycott Av, Chelsea, SW3

1936 Nov 3 Decree absolute

1951 Feb 6 • buried Brompton Cemetery, London, England. Of 111 Dovehouse St, Chelsea

ADRIC