Difference between revisions of "Smith Frank Pte 4456294"

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|Rank=Pte
 
|Rank=Pte
 
|Age=23
 
|Age=23
|Unit=Enlisted in The Durham Light Infantry, T, no enlistment date but probably Spring or early Summer 1949.  Posted to the 9th Battalion DLI.  Probably posted to the 12th Battalion DLI on the creation of the Battalion September 1939.  Transferred to the Black Watch 1/2/1940 and posted to the 1st Tyneside Scottish.  Served with the B.E.F. in France.  Taken Prisoner of War - probably on 20/5/1940 at Ficheux.  KILLED by a guard whilst a Prisoner of War 17/6/42, Auth: CAS/2/BW/6 dated 2/7/42 (BW Book 358 No 5 page 11). Mentioned in Commons Debate in Hansard 8/6/1943 by Mr Magnay.
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|Unit=Enlisted in The Durham Light Infantry, T, no enlistment date but probably Spring or early Summer 1949.  Posted to the 9th Battalion DLI.  Probably posted to the 12th Battalion DLI on the creation of the Battalion September 1939.  Transferred to the Black Watch 1/2/1940 and posted to the 1st Tyneside Scottish.  Served with the B.E.F. in France.  Taken Prisoner of War - probably on 20/5/1940 at Ficheux.  KILLED by a guard whilst a Prisoner of War 17/6/42, Auth: CAS/2/BW/6 dated 2/7/42 (BW Book 358 No 5 page 11). Mentioned in Commons Debate in Hansard 8/6/1943 by Mr Magnay as follows:-
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"Mr. Magnay asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Private Frank Smith, Tyneside Scottish, 4456294, who was a prisoner of war, number 10233, in camp M. Stamminger XXB 357, was shot in cold blood by the sentry; and what is being done to obtain evidence of the outrage and to identify the sentry so that he will be dealt with in due course?
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§Sir J. Grigg Yes, Sir. Statements have been received through the Protecting Power from British prisoners of war in the camp. The findings of a German court of inquiry have also been received, exonerating the guard. Steps have been taken to inform the German Government that the findings of the court cannot be accepted and to demand the re-opening of the proceedings against the guard. The guard's name has not been divulged by the German Government. Efforts to identify him will be made by all available means".
 
|Died/Killed in action=17-Jun-42.  Originally interred, alongside other PoWs, at Map Reference Q55/D79.  Subsequently re-buried 27/11/1948 in Grave 4.A.9. Marlbork Commonwealth War Cemetery.  No inscription on the headstone.
 
|Died/Killed in action=17-Jun-42.  Originally interred, alongside other PoWs, at Map Reference Q55/D79.  Subsequently re-buried 27/11/1948 in Grave 4.A.9. Marlbork Commonwealth War Cemetery.  No inscription on the headstone.
 
|Source table=1TS
 
|Source table=1TS

Revision as of 08:33, 11 July 2020

Personnel Entry

CWGC Headstone - Private Frank Smith - 1TS.
CWGC Headstone - Private Frank Smith - 1TS.

Name Smith Frank
Army number 4456294
Rank Pte
Decorations
Date of birth
Age 23
Unit Enlisted in The Durham Light Infantry, T, no enlistment date but probably Spring or early Summer 1949. Posted to the 9th Battalion DLI. Probably posted to the 12th Battalion DLI on the creation of the Battalion September 1939. Transferred to the Black Watch 1/2/1940 and posted to the 1st Tyneside Scottish. Served with the B.E.F. in France. Taken Prisoner of War - probably on 20/5/1940 at Ficheux. KILLED by a guard whilst a Prisoner of War 17/6/42, Auth: CAS/2/BW/6 dated 2/7/42 (BW Book 358 No 5 page 11). Mentioned in Commons Debate in Hansard 8/6/1943 by Mr Magnay as follows:-

"Mr. Magnay asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Private Frank Smith, Tyneside Scottish, 4456294, who was a prisoner of war, number 10233, in camp M. Stamminger XXB 357, was shot in cold blood by the sentry; and what is being done to obtain evidence of the outrage and to identify the sentry so that he will be dealt with in due course? §Sir J. Grigg Yes, Sir. Statements have been received through the Protecting Power from British prisoners of war in the camp. The findings of a German court of inquiry have also been received, exonerating the guard. Steps have been taken to inform the German Government that the findings of the court cannot be accepted and to demand the re-opening of the proceedings against the guard. The guard's name has not been divulged by the German Government. Efforts to identify him will be made by all available means".
Company/Battery
Platoon or other sub-unit
Task or role
Joined Brigade
Promotions
Wounded
Prisoner of War Camps Numbered XXB and 357, PoW Number 10233.
Died/Killed in action 17-Jun-42. Originally interred, alongside other PoWs, at Map Reference Q55/D79. Subsequently re-buried 27/11/1948 in Grave 4.A.9. Marlbork Commonwealth War Cemetery. No inscription on the headstone.
Home address Research suggests Pte Smith was born in Gateshead in 1918, father Frank, mother Florence M. (nee Bennett) and that he was a resident of Gateshead at the time of his death.
Source table 1TS

Grateful thanks are due to Terry Hall for the headstone photograph, taken in 2019.