[5][6] Smith returned to Orkney as a schoolmaster: the 1881 Census finds him living in the Stronsay Schoolhouse with one of his elder sisters, Frances, as his housekeeper.

[10] He became Headmaster, North Sydney Boys High in 1915,[1] the second to hold the post, succeeding Nimrod Greenwood.

[11] The history of the early years of North Sydney Boys' High described him as a disciplinarian who favoured detention and would travel the classrooms in the afternoon in academic cap and gown announcing the names of those who would join him for an extra half-hour after school; nevertheless, he was described as "a man of great personal charm and is still remembered with affection by those who were at North Sydney during his time.

"[11] Following the sudden death of Robert John Hinder,[12] Smith returned to Sydney High School (Mary Ann Street, Ultimo) in his final appointment as headmaster.

[13] On 24 December 1884, Charles married Alice Lydia Hartley at "Glencoe", Cadia, near Orange, New South Wales.

(Aberdeen) died at his residence "Tremenheere", 16 McClelland Street, Willoughby on 10 June 1941 aged 81 years.