John Edwin Smith
John Edwin Smith (c1878-1924) of J. E. Smith
c1868 Born in Gloucester the son of John Smith, an Engineer.
1900 Married in Gloucester to Louisa Annie Rudge.
1911 Living at Egremont, Tuffley Avenue, Gloucester: John E. Smith (age 33 born Gloucester), Motor garage Proprietor. With his wife Louisa A. Smith (age 33 born Hereford) and their two children Violet Nellie Smith (age 6 born Gloucester) and Phyllis Louisa Smith (age 2 born Gloucester). One servant.[1]
1924 December. 'The funeral of the late Mr. John Edwin Smith, motor engineer, 192, Gravelly Hill, Birmingham, and formerly of Whorne's Close, Longford, near Gloucester, took place at the Cemetery on Saturday.'[2]
'DEATH OF MR. J. E, SMITH. Tragic Occurrence at Birmingham. Effect of Gun-shot Wounds. The death took place in Birmingham on Tuesday, under tragic circumstances, of well-known Gloucester man in the person of Mr. John E. Smith, of Mere House, Gravelly Hill, Birmingham. The facts, so far as we have been able to ascertain, are not very clear, and are only of a meagre description. It is stated that during the course of Tuesday afternoon the report of a gun was heard at his home, and the deceased was immediately afterwards found in one the rooms with a gunshot wound in his stomach. Mr Smith was conveyed at once to the Birmingham General Hospital, but his condition was very grave, and died at 8 p.m. the same evening. The circumstances of the occurrence will be the subject of an inquest. Mr. Smith who was about 47 years of age, was familiar figure in Gloucester, and until a few months ago had lived at Wharnes Close, Longford. He had been connected with motor business in the city. He is survived by a widow and three children, to whom the sympathy of many friends will be extended.'[3]