Mr Reginald George Smith was born in Weymouth, Dorset, England in 1879 and his birth was registered in the third quarter of that year.

He was the son of William and Mary Ann Smith (b. 1845 in Plymouth, Devon) and he had three elder brothers that are known of: Walter James (b. 1873), Francis Henry (b. 1875) and William John (b. 1876). Little is known about his father but he is believed to have been a mariner, not appearing with his family on any census records.

Reginald appears with his family on the 1881 census living at 5 Salisbury Terrace, Melcombe Regis, Dorset and would be listed as a pupil at a Roman Catholic School, Park House, Creswell Park, Charlton, London by the time of the 1891 census. By the time of the 1901 census he was employed as a footman, residing at "The Hall," Willesley, Leicestershire, likely a large mansion owned by a wealthy family. When he went to sea is not certain but he was known to have been working as a steward aboard the Majestic as early as June 1907, specifying his address at the time as 45 Luxmore Road, Walton.

When the 1911 census was conducted Smith and his by-now widowed mother were living at 6 Roman Street, Southampton and he was described as an unmarried ship's steward. His mother indicated that she relied on her son for financial support.

When he signed-on to the Titanic, on 4 April 1912, Reginald gave his address as 46 Stafford Road, (Southampton). His last ship had been the Olympic and as a saloon steward he received monthly wages of £3, 15s.

Smith died in the sinking. His body, if recovered, was never identified.

His brother Walter was later the Right Reverend Aloysius Smith and First Abbot of Bodmin. He died in 1960 aged 86.