In 1892 Walter Smith, a Wheelwright from Somerset, established his own coachbuilding business in Pine Road of Winton. He was occasionally involved with the construction of horse drawn hearses and carriages and following a request to carry out a funeral for a gypsy family which the then local undertakers declined to do, Walter realised that he could supplement his coachbuilding work by providing a funeral service. By 1896, the business had expanded sufficiently to warrant a move to larger premises in Wimborne Road of Winton where it has remained to the present day.

Following Walter's death in 1934, and because of the increasing use of motor vehicles, it was decided by his sons, Leslie and Gordon, that the coachbuilding work should cease and they concentrated solely on funeral directing. Improvements to facilities, and expansion has continued over the years including the acquisition of Chas Pike & Sons Ltd, Funeral Directors of Winton in 1953. After the deaths of Leslie and Gordon the business was managed by their respective sons Edward and Peter, until Peter's retirement from the partnership in 1967. Gradually, over the last three decades Edward's own family have followed in to the business, Trevor in 1970, Roger in 1978 & Michael in 1987. W.Smith & Sons opened their first branch office in Poole Road Westbourne, which closed in 2003 due end of lease.

In 1991 Edward retired from the Partnership after 52 years service, but still works today as a consultant to his sons, the fourth generation who manage and run the business. Also in 1991 both Trevor & Roger obtained their Diploma by the National Association of Funeral Directors. Michael Smith in October 1995 arranged the first client horse-drawn hearse funeral in Bournemouth for over 50 years and the only time that four horses were used. May 1998 saw the opening of the companies second branch at Bransgore on the edge of the New Forest taking over from Charlie Leat who had to retire due to health problems. When able, Charlie Leat still assists in conducting and arranging funerals as he is well known and respected in the Bransgore and Burley communities.

Chapel of Rest times

Winton

Monday to Friday (9:15a.m. - 5:00p.m.) - After 5:00pm to 8:00pm, please phone in advance for an appointment

Saturday Mornings Only From (9:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon)

Bransgore

Monday to Friday (9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. & 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.)

Out of Hours (Appointments to be arranged with this office on 01425 674 595)