The Palmerston Residents Association has more information on the Smiles Family of West Bank House Palmerston Road Belfast Northern Ireland Smiles Capt William Alan Born29.4.1885 son of William Holmes Smiles and Lucy Smiles nee Dorling,West Bank Strandtown Belfast. His father who died in 1904,founded (in addition to the Royal County Down Golf Club at Newcastle)the Belfast Ropework Company with Gustav Wolff which was the largest in the world . His mother was half sister to Mrs Beeton, the famous Victorian cookery expert. He had seven brothers and three sisters his grand father the celebrated author of Self Help and other books was Dr Samuel Smiles.He qualified as a solicitor in 1905 and practiced at Belfast and Larne he became Deputy Crown Solicitor,Co Mayo in 1908. He applied for an army commission 15.08.1914 height 6 foot 2inchs weight 140 pounds. He was Commissioned to the 9th RIR,23.09 1914 he was promoted Lt. 23.11.1914 and then Capt 01.01.1915. he then joined C coy 2nd RIR,on the 13.03.1916 he was killed in action on the 09.07.1916. A report that his body was seen in a German 2nd line trench with shrapnel wounds to his back and that he died instantly were received. The gross value of his estate was £1,382.Probate granted to his widowed mother,sister Aileen and brother John Holmes Smiles, 37 Bedford Ave,High Barnet. He also had a Brother 2lt, Samuel Smiles who came from South America to join the Army,he received his commission in December 1916 from Queens OTC,and went to the front in May 1917 with the 1st batt RIR, he was killed 16.08.1917 and is Buried in Tyne Cot Cemetery Belgium. Samuel Smiles was 35 years old and a fine athlete who had won numerous golf prizes including the Argentine Centenary Cup, he was Partner in the firm of McEwan and Smiles Buenos Aires
Information by the Vice Chairman John Johnston Palmerston Residents Association
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