Wilbraham Fremantle Smith was born in 1895 in Guilden Sutton, Chester, the second son of Robert and Mary Cathcart Smith. In 1911 he was 15 years of age and had an older sister Mary, aged 23; an older brother Robert, aged 20; an older sister Catherine, aged 18; and a younger sister Charlotte, aged 4.

Wilbraham was educated at Perth Academy, Arnold House School, and the King’s School, Chester. Wilbraham Smith enlisted with the Cheshire Yeomanry (Reg. No. 1517) and was commissioned on 30th October 1915 with the 3/5th Bn. Cheshire Regiment. He arrived in France on 16th June 1916, and joined the 1/5th Bn. in Souastre on 25th June 1916.

Extract from the War Diaries of the 1/5th Battalion, The Cheshire Regiment

“1st July 1916 - Gommecourt. The 167th Infantry Brigade was in reserve. The tasks allotted to ‘B’ Company, which was attached to this Brigade, were as follows:- 2 platoons under 2nd Lieuts. F. A. Davies and W. F. Smith were to fix boards bearing new names in the captured German trenches."

"Lieut. W. F. Smith was ordered to go over behind the 3rd London Regiment, which was in reserve. This Battalion was not called upon to go over, so that 2nd Lieut. W. F, Smith with his platoon remained all day in our own trenches. “21st Sept. 1916 – Bois Favières. ‘B’ and ‘C’ Companies with Lewis Gunners, Sappers, Signallers and Pioneers employed in connecting up by a fire trench 3 strong points in front of GROPI trench. Trench so formed called RANGER TRENCH."

"Lieut. HIGNETT. H. N. and Sec. Lieuts. FRATER. J. G; KENDAL N; SMITH W.F. wounded. 11 O.R. Killed. 21 O.R. wounded of whom 1 since Died of wounds.”

In September 1916, the 34th and 2/2nd London Casualty Clearing Stations were established at the village of Meaulte, known to the troops as Grove Town. Wilbraham Smith was evacuated there, and died on 28th September 1916. He was 21 years old.

Chester Chronicle, 30th September 1916

“SECOND LIEUTENANT W. F. SMITH DIES FROM WOUNDS"

“News has been received of the death from wounds of Sec. Lieut. W. F. Smith of the Cheshire Regiment. Son of Mr and Mrs R. Cathcart Smith of The Limes, Hough Green."

"Sec. Lieut. Smith who was severely wounded in the leg underwent an operation. A letter intimating that he was in a critical condition was received by his relatives."

"He first joined the Yeomanry and then obtained a commission in the Cheshire’s about a year ago. He went to the front in June last."

"Before joining the army Smith was an apprentice with Messrs Gill and Co., Cotton Brokers, Liverpool."

"He was twenty years of age and was educated at Arnold House School and the Kings School, Chester. Much sympathy will be felt for his parents in their sorrow.”

Wilbraham Smith is also commemorated on the Wesleyan Church War Memorial, Chester.