Notes:
according to 1881 UK Census
living at 62 Alexandra Rd, London

FRIBA - Born London, of Buenos Aires and Melbourne

Notes/Biography by Peter Bassett-Smith

Walter was born on the 23 July 1859 at Kilburn, London, the son of William Smith 1831 – 1901, and Anne Eliza Hall 1827 – 1914, whose mother was a Bassett. William on the 29th of March 1881 by Deed Poll registered his family name at Somerset House, as Bassett-Smith.

William came from a long line of Northhamptonshire Gentleman Farmers, ie employers, not labourers. Who it seems supervised the building of their own house and substantial outbuildings of local red rock cut into brick sizes.

Their three-story home bears a gable date of 1712 and still many small window panes dating to the Elizabethan era are crystal clear and blue with age to this day. The family sold Little Creaton in 1872. William practiced as an Architect from 10 John Street, now John Adams Street, Adelphi, near Charing Cross Station, London. This building is flanked by offices the work of the famous Adam Bros. built over the vaulted arches by The Strand by the Thames. He was responsible for many London houses and some Churches.

His major work was the Cathedral at Trinidad, West Indies.

On returning to England he created a water colour of his sketch of the Island of Martinique. [Last seen by P.B-S at River Park.]

William's second son who was christened Walter Bassett and educated locally grew into a sprightly five foot eight. Attending in the late 1870's at the Royal Academy London, where in 1881, at the age of 22 he received a major award. The Silver Medal for the best Set of Scale Drawings of a Gothic Cathedral. In 1882, with his eldest sister Winifred, he undertook the Grand Tour by ship, sailing from Liverpool via the main Mediterranean Ports which included Venice, not forgetting an exciting visit to the Leaning Tower of Pisa where he nearly fell off. They returned home by train.

He then joined his father and elder brother Aubrey, in the practice and was at the Laying of the Foundation Stone of All Saints. In 1884 during the restoration of Chichester Cathedral he was Architect in Charge of eleven stone masons however not content with relayed information he accompanied the steeplejack to the top of the spire to appraise the condition for himself.

The next two years were spent at Cambridge where as architect he Supervised the building of two houses. One for James Greaves and another for W. Hobson both at Maddingley Road, Cambridge in 1888, and was given a handsome leather bound bible by the Incumbent of St Lukes, Chesterton, on the sixth of September 1886 for his help in the Parish.

There followed a succession of successful commissions, but on the second of April 1889 much to his fathers sorrow and the day after his brother returned as Surgeon on the Royal Navy Survey Ship, Penguin, from surveying off the West Australian Coast [Note Bassett-Smith Shoal named after Percy], and South China Sea, Walter sailed for the Argentine. He wanted to be independent and seek the reputed opportunities for young professionals. "Not a propitious time", as his brief Diary, later noted, "there was a revolution in the Buenos Aries, [BA] Argentine, the following year." On the third of March 1891 "He started in B A on his own account."

This was a significant year as for the first time he met a vivacious young girl, whom he later married in 1896, when she turned nineteen. Their marriage was celebrated by the Anglican bishop of The Falkland Islands at Trinity Church, Lomas de Zamora, B.A. They sailed for their Honeymoon to England, after Mary had laid the foundation stone for their own house at Temperley, a suburb of B.A. The previous year had seen the Opening of Prince Georges Hall in B.A., for which he was the architect. It became a popular centre for the British Community, and was a major commission for him. He was now thirty-six, and his family life began.

In the hot sticky climate where the starched collars of professional men called for at least three collar changes daily, for they wore three piece tailored suits, and they did not have air conditioning. He worked extremely hard, long hours including Saturday and would take the night train on Saturday to the coastal resort of Mar del Plata where he scrupulously checked with his Clerk of Works on the houses he was building there, which would have done justice to any city. Then returning to B.A. by train.

This period lasted some ten years during which an acquaintance told Mary he had been seen staggering drunkenly. He was not drunk!!! He was exhausted, nearly asleep on his feet!!. It was known that he rarely touched alcohol.

After this he and Mary took a holiday to the South of France in 1913,leaving the children at home to the care of the housekeeper and cook and a governess, the two older boys attended school.

Thurston born 1898. Clement in 1899. Edo in 1905 and Peter in 1911. One of the influencing reasons that Mary returned to England with her children was the looming threat of war, also preferring an English education for them.

Amongst his commissions were Churches, private houses, town houses, country houses, schools and commercial buildings. One of the finest country houses was for the Contessa de Senna and her son Senor Martinez de Hoz at their estancia. It was rumoured that this castle like edifice was to be for the Kaiser, after Germany had won WW1. Another major commission was for the Drysdale Mansion, on the Avenida Alvear, later the British Embassy. Of the houses he designed and supervised at Mas Del Plata, one for Senor Don Alfredo, Leioir was a typical example of Walters style of architecture.

His Tudor style of architecture became his hallmark and he was eagerly sought after.

One commission which did not reach fruition was by a non conformist Church request, to design a church without pillars. His detailed design drawings included a fine coloured one. He was mortified at their rejection of his time consuming work, and consigned his torn up painting to the waste paper basket (when they accepted another design with pillars) Mary retrieved it, and it is still in the family's possession.

It was not unusual for him to be commissioned to design and include furnishings for the house. His preferred suppliers were Waring and Gillow of London, who were specialists in finest reproduction furniture, Mappin and Webb were and are recognised as one of the best cutlery manufacturers in England.

Mary stayed in England with the children and Walter stayed and continued to practice in BA, whilst living at Temperley a city suburb.

Tragedy struck and Rosemary their sister born 24 July 1914 died of flu in infancy on the 10/2/1915. WW1 had started. Thurston finished schooling and enlisted. He joined The Royal Flying Corps, tragedy struck again as he died of wounds. 23/11/1916 aged 19. He is buried at St Austell, in Devon.

Clement finished school, then worked in munitions, at 17, he enlisted and served to the end of the war.

Once more Father managed to return to England it was not without difficulty as wartime travel was restricted. Mary and Walter on discussing the loss of their only daughter were interrupted by Peter aged five who remarked "Put seeds in the ground and out come flowers, put baby sister in the ground and out come a Angel". In later years, Peter was to learn that his remark had been of comfort to his devastated parents.

25/6/1917 Walter returned to the Argentine, on the ship Demerera, it was torpedoed on the 1st July 1917 in the Bay of Biscay, off the coast of La Rochelle, and sank in shallow water all were saved but one.

Walter was able to continue his journey by train through France to Lisbon. Having saved his luggage, he boarded the SS Amazon for the Argentine.

Walter was a perfectionist, down to the last detail. For instance if England would not supply steel girders to his specification, he reluctantly had to order from Germany who would meet his requirements. Walter was the Architect for a new school building which had been donated by two elderly ladies. At the opening, in praise of his work they were heard to say "And nobody watched him!!." He was then presented with a silver urn as an expression of gratitude, and which is still held by a descendant.

1918. The war ended, Walter remained in the Argentine 3/11/1919 Clement who had been demobilised, sailed via New Zealand for Australia.

4/11/1919 Mary embarked for the Argentine.

Edo and Peter remained in the care of May Ereaut a distant cousin of Mary and living and attending school in Jersey for nearly a year.

Walters health was beginning to fail.

26/5/1921 He and Mary left for England on the Ship Arlanza to celebrate their Silver Wedding Anniversary. Including "A lovely summer holiday for us all in Somerset.", with his two sisters, and Mary with Edo and Peter they toured Devon and Somerset in a chauffeur driven car, as he did not drive. A large farmhouse in the Quantock Hills at Halford was their base. This was one of rare occasions, he had holidayed with his family. Among the various activities were Tickling trout, observing stag hunts and picnicking.

7/12/1921 Mary with Edo and Peter left for Australia. Miss Frost, a Lady companion accompanied them. On the Thermistocles. Via South Africa. Shortly after Walter returned to the Argentine on the 15th of December 1921.

In September 1922, Mary sent an urgent cable to Walter "COME" He travelled to Australia on a Japanese Ship. The reason for Mary's cable. Could he help Clement? As he and Muriel were getting married and wanted to get a farm.

June 1923, he went back to the Argentine via Cape Town, Santo Paulo, Brazil.

By now he was a sick man and was admitted to a Sanatorium on the 15th of November and operated on, on, 18/11/1924 for a Suprapubic Prostatectomy. A major operation at any time. In failing health he sold the family home at Temperley, retired and gave his practice to his Partner since 1912, Mr B.A. Colcutt. On the 30th of January 1925 he was elected a Fellow of The Royal Institute of British Architects. [FRIBA.]

Returning to England he discussed his problem with his brother, Sir Percy, now a Harley Street, specialist. Who, sad at the situation agreed that Walter should join his family in Australia. This he did. Shortly afterwards, in 1925 he arrived in Australia.

Retiring for a quiet life, first living in Melbourne the capital the State of Victoria.

Clement and Muriel by this time were living on their farm in Victoria's Goulburn Valley, which Walter visited when well enough.

Peter and Edo were still at boarding school.

1928 was the beginning of the depression. It was the year that he bought his first Australian house, it was a small weather board cottage, in rural Eltham, Victoria. Later after extensions to it, Mary's parents, who were avid travellers, visited and stayed and lived with Walter and Mary for some years.

Walter was a kind, gentle man, a loving husband and father, a staunch Anglican, a Church Warden, and had been on the Bishop's Council, in BA.

He was a man who would help "Lame dogs over styles" he had a philosophy of "Never a borrower or lender be." and if he could help he would not turn down anyone in genuine distress, as was observed by members of his family. He had been a prominent Freemason in B.A.

Sadly he was very badly advised by a Trustee Company in Australia and unfortunately most of his life savings were depleted. The Great Depression had begun and was affecting many. He died peacefully in July 1932 at Eltham, and is buried at Warringah Cemetery, Heidelberg, Melbourne, Victoria.

His father-in-law wrote a Eulogy for the BA Standard 6/8/1932

P.B-S 1/2003.
From personal records and recollections, of P.B-S
From family records of Walter, Mary.

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