Abraham Smith was born on Monday 12th August 1895 to worsted mill overlooker Joseph Smith (b.1872 – d.1925) and Amelia Smith, née Marlow (b.1871 – d.1941). He was baptised in Salterhebble on 15 September 1895 and had two younger siblings, Lawrence (b.1902) and Evelyn (b.1906). The family lived at 16 Penuel Place, Siddal, Halifax, West Yorkshire.