Frank Gibson Smith was born in Plymouth, Devonshire in 1916, the son of Frank Smith and Jane Smith (nee Gibson). Jane Smith was born at Frizington. Her parents were Edward and Mary Gibson who at different times lived at Frizington, Arlecdon and Cleator Moor and had grocery stores and deliveries throughout the district. Although not a lot of details are known about the family's connection to the Cleator Moor district, it is understood the Smiths lived with Jane's parents at various times in Cleator Moor and Frizington although at the time of the 1921 census, they were living at an address in Barrow-in-Furness.
According to his 1944 obituaries, Frank Gibson Smith was educated at Windermere Grammar School before studying at the Liverpool University School of Architecture. He volunteered for the Army in October 1939 before receiving a commission and eventually the rank of captain. At that time, his parents' address was at Aughton, Ormskirk (Merseyside).