[1][2] Abel Smith was born at Chesham Place, Belgravia, the youngest son of Francis Abel Smith (1861–1908) of Wilford House, Nottinghamshire, and Madeline St Maur Seymour, daughter of Rev.
[3] His elder brother was Col. Sir Henry Abel Smith, Governor of Queensland.
[5] Abel Smith served in Anti-Aircraft Command in World War II, and then joined the British Army Staff, Washington.
[5] He was Chairman of the Pressed Steel Company from 1955 to 1965 and of Provident Mutual Life Assurance Association Ltd. from 1966 to 1973.
Secondly, he was the second husband of Henriette, Lady Abel Smith, Lady-in-Waiting to Queen Elizabeth II.