Following in the footsteps of his father, a King's Counsel, Smith was called to the Bar in 1905 but then decided on a career move from Law to the Church of England[2] He was ordained in 1907, was a curate in Romford and, from 1909 to 1911, was Chaplain of Oxford House, Bethnal Green.
[4] Winnington-Ingram was a renowned preacher who attracted massive publicity, and he toured the Western Front in 1914 with Smith who wrote a book about the visit.
[5] Smith himself then served on the Western Front with the Post Office Rifles, distinguishing himself at Bullecourt in June, 1917, winning a Military Cross - the citation for which read:[6] For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in accompanying a party of volunteers to get in some wounded men that had been lying out some days.
He attached himself to the party that had the most dangerous task and greatly encouraged them by his personal example and fearlessness under heavy fire.
He was the first to go out and the last to return, setting a splendid example of devotion to duty[7]Smith caught trench nephritis and spent six months in hospital in England.