William Smith (iii)
William Guthrie 'Bill' Smith (b. 19 June 1897, Mid Yell, d. 28 February 1942, Glasgow) was the Lerwick postman and Lerwick Town Councillor until his death in 1942.
Biography
William received his education in Lerwick and worked for a year or so until the war broke out. He volunteered for service on 25 November 1915 and served with the Gordon Highlanders in France, being dischanged in February 1919. He was involved in battle during the war, but escaped it without injury.
AFter the water, William was employed in South Shields with the Ministry of Labour in South Shields. Later, he entered the employment of Messrs Williamson & Co, fish salesmen, as a foreman. His father had performed a similar role in Lerwick, and in April 1925, William joined the Lerwick Post Office as a postman. He served for 15 years, retiring in 1940 owing to ill health.
He was for some time the chairman of the Lerwick branch of the Union of Post Office Workers. He also acted as secretary of the local branch of the Transport and General Workers Union.
He stood under the Labour banner when he was elected in 1937.
