occupation

Taxi driver

dates

Born: 11 Mar 1875, Curbridge, Oxon

Married: 2 Jun 1900, Charlotte Bessie FOOT at the Wesleyan Chapel, William Street, Oxford

Died: Aug 1947, Brisbane, Australia

residence

Oxford; later Brisbane, Australia

submitted by

Leila MULLER (great-granddaughter)

Background information

Frederick Edwin SMITH was born in Curbridge on 11 March 1875, the seventh of ten children born to William SMITH and Emma HICKMAN.

Fred, as he was known by the family, married Charlotte Bessie FOOT on 2 June 1900 at the Wesleyan Chapel, William Street, Oxford. The first four of their ten children were born in Oxfordshire: at 17 Argyle Street, Oxford; 51 Hurst Street; and twins at 16 Henley Street, Oxford.  The twins only lived a short while.  During this time Fred worked as a taxi driver in Oxford.

Shortly after the death of the twins, a decision was made to emigrate to Australia.  Fred and Bessie and their two children arrived in Brisbane, Australia aboard the Ophir on 9 November 1907. Fred and Bessie were followed to Australia shortly after by Fred’s younger brother Edwin Ernest SMITH, who also settled in Brisbane.

Throughout his life Frederick had a very strong affinity with the village of Curbridge where he was born.  When he settled in Australia, Frederick called his home at Baroona Hill, Rosalie, ‘Curbridge’.  One of Fred’s current grandchildren, calls his property today ‘Curbridge’ in memory of his grandfather.

Frederick Edwin SMITH and Charlotte Bessie FOOT, died within 3 weeks of each other in August 1947.  They are buried together in Toowong Cemetery, Brisbane.

Whilst in Australia, Fred and Bessie were followers of and believers in William IRVINE.  Fred worked as a taxi driver, and carter, working out of the Roma Street Fruit and Vegetable markets as well as working for the Milton 4X brewery.

Fred and Charlotte were very religious and an extremely close family.