His mentor at Armstrong College was Prof. G. A. Lebour, under whose influence Smith investigated the coalfields of Northumberland and the Carboniferous limestone of the local fells.
[2] During World War II, extensive bombing of the Bristol Museum damaged a number of the collections Smith worked on.
Like many academics he was prevented from continuing his research at the Natural History Museum in London, due to the emergency relocation of its collections for preservation during the War.
[4] In addition to his interest in palaeontology, he also undertook research into Greek and Roman antiquities during his retirement, with D.E.
[1] Each year, the Stanley Smith Prize, named in his honour, is awarded to the best Level 3 student in palaeontology at the University of Bristol.