Ernest Smith
Mary Foister’s Father
I was born into a family whose roots for generations were firmly planted in rural Buckinghamshire. At the time of the First World War my father was aged fifteen and at school in High Wycombe at Haddows School. My Grandfather had died unexpectedly in the previous year, leaving Julia, his widow, and their six children, including Benjamin, as yet unborn. The extended family rallied round to manage and work the family farm and the other business interests. My uncle helped out, and his two younger brothers, enabling my father to take his Civil Engineering qualifications.
Whilst the horrors of the war casualties were mounting, the growing scarcity of food in England had to be addressed and substantial farms had to continue to provide food efficiently. This kept the men of the family working there for the duration of the war.
| The original exhibition display: Ernest Smith |
