Yeoman Warder from 1908 to 1943

Alexander Smoker, was Born in 1865 and died 6th April 1943 aged 78 in the Byward Tower, although his death certificate says he died in Guys Hospital and buried in West Norwood Cemetery, memorial id 43239575.

He enlisted into the Royal Scots Fusiliers on the 31st May 1883 and was discharged 29th May 1908 his Army number 348, he was a Sergeant Major, W0II.

On the 10th October 1908, he became a Yeoman Warder here at the Tower of London filling the vacancy when YW William Appleton who had passed away.

He was the Yeoman Gaoler from 1st October 1914 to 18 July 1915, and the Chief Yeoman Warder from the 1st October 1915 his death in the Byward Tower on the 6th April 1943

He lived on the Top floor of the Martin Tower then on becoming the Yeoman Gaoler he moved into 5 Tower Green, then as the Chief Yeoman Warder he moved into the top floor of the Byward Tower.

There is a memorial to YW Smoker on the South Wall of the Chapel Royal, of St Peter Ad Vincula

Alexander Smoker with the Yeoman Gaoler

Medals

Long Service & Good Conduct Medal (LS&GC)

1911 Coronation Medal

Meritorious Service Medal

1935 Jubilee Medal

1937 Coronation Medal

1939-45 Defence Medal (posthumously)

British Empire Medal (BEM)

 

Family:

Wife:

Alice Georgina (nee ?) b1872 – d1918 – 2nd Wife: Alice Eliza Barker b17 Sep 1883 – d25 Dec 1971 in Dulwich Hospital