I was adopted by Harry William (Don) and Nessie Smith, when I was 4 years old.

This is the first picture taken by my new family, Harry William (Don) and Nessie Smith.  They lived in  Christchurch and had a son Donald Charles who was quite a few years older than me.

The Smiths were mainly from Hampshire.  The Stannards, originated from Suffolk, moved to Norfolk before settling in London and Kent. 

Harry William and Nessie lived next door to each other when they married, at St. Bartholomew's Church, Outram Road, in Southsea, Hampshire, England (1923).  

Harry William Smith (known to all his friends as Don) was born in Portsmouth (1898) and was one of eight children.  He enlisted into the Royal Navy November 1914 and completed his engagement in December 1928 .  Two of the ships he served aboard were HMS Impregnable and HMS Defiance.  He received the Star, British and Victory medals. 

Frank Charles Stannard (my Grandfather) was born in 1867, Woolwich, which was then a district of Kent county.  He enlisted into the Royal Field Artillery in 1881, at the age of 14.  Since he was on active service, the family moved around the country, and abroad, before settling in Christchurch, Hampshire.   He married Fanny Carlton (1869), in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, in 1892.  Fanny was the daughter of  Jane (1838) and Frederick Carlton (1833).  Fanny had three sisters, Maria (1872), Annie (1874) and Rose (1881), and one brother, James (1876).  Frederick was born in Chilenden, Kent and Jane came from Eythorne, Kent  All the children were born in Sibertswold, Kent.    

Frank Charles was awarded the O.B.E., D.C.M., Victory and British War Medals  The latter two were awarded during the first world war.

His eldest daughter Nessie was born in Woolwich (1893).  Two other daughters, Eva (1895) and Hilda (1898), were born in India.

My Great Grandparents were Francis Joseph and Sarah Jane Stannard.  They had five children, Frank Charles (1867), William Arthur (1869), Lilian (1871), Edith (1872) and George (1875). 

I believe my Great Great Grandparents were Cyrus and Mary Ann Stannard, who had four sons, Robert John Alexander, Francis, Alexander and Ephriam.  It appears that the children were born in Woolwich, but I have to confirm these details.