Stephen Smith, who was born in Derby was the son of town councillor Walter Smith who kept The Hawthorns Inn at Upper Welland, Malvern Wells. He was educated at Malvern Wells Schools and Worcester Royal Grammar School gaining distinction in 1911 – he took the senior prize for Latin and served for two years in the OTC. He joined the Herefordshire Regiment at the outbreak of war and served at Gallipoli, and was offered a commission. This he accepted and would have been gazetted in a few days. Before joining that army he was a clerk at Lloyds Bank, Hereford

Mr Walter Smith had two other sons serving – Albert Thomas Smith served in the 1/8th Worcestershire Regiment and was awarded the Military Medal. He was wounded at Landrecies in November 1918 and died as a result of these wounds in 1920.

The Hawthorns Inn, Upper Welland

Malvern News 26/8/16