Francis William Smith
Encyclopedia
The Very Revd Francis William Smith, M.C., was Dean of Kimberley
, South Africa
, and Rector of St Cyprian's Cathedral
in Kimberley.
, Francis William Smith served with distinction as a Second Lieutenant
in the West York Rifles. He was awarded a Military Cross
, the citation reading thus: “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. With a few men he dispersed a fighting patrol of the enemy. Later, he assisted to bring in a wounded man under heavy fire. He has at all times set a fine example of courage and determination.”
, Cape Town. His wife had a unique role in St Michael’s history: in 1927 an unusually well attended annual vestry meeting was held where the vexed question was to be raised, as to whether ladies were eligible for election to the church council. The motion was then defeated, but three years later Mrs Mary Smith, the wife of the Rector, became the first woman member, “since when many have served with great advantage to the parish.”
, being installed at the Cathedral on 27 April 1941.
Retiring in 1953, Smith was back in Kimberley on 23 August 1959 to lay the Foundation Stone of the Memorial Tower.
Mrs Mary Smith was well known in Kimberley for her stage appearances in David Sanders’ Boys’ High School Players
productions, and for her role in the musical life of the city, playing viola in the Kimberley Concert Orchestra under Tommy Marnitz and in an active chamber music group.
Kimberley, Northern Cape
Kimberley is a city in South Africa, and the capital of the Northern Cape. It is located near the confluence of the Vaal and Orange Rivers. The town has considerable historical significance due its diamond mining past and siege during the Second Boer War...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, and Rector of St Cyprian's Cathedral
St Cyprian's Cathedral, Kimberley
The Cathedral Church of St Cyprian the Martyr, Kimberley, is the seat of the Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Kimberley and Kuruman, Anglican Church of Southern Africa. It became a Cathedral when the Synod of Bishops gave a mandate for the formation of the new Diocese of Kimberley and Kuruman in...
in Kimberley.
Early life
In World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, Francis William Smith served with distinction as a Second Lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
in the West York Rifles. He was awarded a Military Cross
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
, the citation reading thus: “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. With a few men he dispersed a fighting patrol of the enemy. Later, he assisted to bring in a wounded man under heavy fire. He has at all times set a fine example of courage and determination.”
St Michael’s, Observatory
Smith served as the fourth Rector at the Parish of St Michael and All Angels in ObservatoryObservatory, Cape Town
Observatory is a suburb in Cape Town, South Africa, bordered by Mowbray to the south, and Salt River to the north. The area is best known as student neighborhood, most of whom attend the University of Cape Town located close by, and for being the home of the South African Astronomical Observatory...
, Cape Town. His wife had a unique role in St Michael’s history: in 1927 an unusually well attended annual vestry meeting was held where the vexed question was to be raised, as to whether ladies were eligible for election to the church council. The motion was then defeated, but three years later Mrs Mary Smith, the wife of the Rector, became the first woman member, “since when many have served with great advantage to the parish.”
St Cyprian’s Cathedral, Kimberley
From Observatory, Smith went to Kimberley as its third Dean and eleventh Rector of St Cyprian'sSt Cyprian's Cathedral, Kimberley
The Cathedral Church of St Cyprian the Martyr, Kimberley, is the seat of the Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Kimberley and Kuruman, Anglican Church of Southern Africa. It became a Cathedral when the Synod of Bishops gave a mandate for the formation of the new Diocese of Kimberley and Kuruman in...
, being installed at the Cathedral on 27 April 1941.
Retiring in 1953, Smith was back in Kimberley on 23 August 1959 to lay the Foundation Stone of the Memorial Tower.
Mrs Mary Smith was well known in Kimberley for her stage appearances in David Sanders’ Boys’ High School Players
Kimberley Boys' High School
Kimberley Boys' High School is a high school located on the corner of Dalham Road and Memorial Road, Kimberley, Northern Cape, South Africa. It was founded in 1887 and has close affiliation with Kimberley Girls' High School and Kimberley Junior School....
productions, and for her role in the musical life of the city, playing viola in the Kimberley Concert Orchestra under Tommy Marnitz and in an active chamber music group.