Hi, My Grandad, Lance Corporal Leonard Charles Smith of the 43rd Reconnaissance Regiment, was one of the missing after the ship was hit by a mine. My Dad has spent years gathering information, letters etc, but the one thing he is missing is possibly hearing from anyone that may have known his Dad. I was hoping/wondering if there may be anyone still that could share any information, memories etc to help him fill that gap - there seems to have been a large void in the family in the past to help my Dad get to know his own Dad, which has blighted his life. My Dad was born a week before the ship went down and so never had the chance to meet him, which has always affected him greatly. I hope someone may be able to help. My email is ssmith146ATaol.com Thanks Stewart Smith
Stewart, welcome to the forum and good luck with your research. Could I suggest you change the @ in you email address to AT could save you getting lots of spam Regards. Peter
SMITH, LEONARD CHARLES Rank: Lance Corporal Service No: 5188652 Date of Death: 24/06/1944 Age: 28 Regiment/Service: Reconnaissance Corps, R.A.C. 43rd (2/5th Bn. Gloucestershire Regt.) Regt. Panel Reference: Panel 4. Memorial: BAYEUX MEMORIAL Additional Information: Son of Archibald and Caroline Smith; husband of Cynthia May Hope Smith, of Fishponds, Gloucestershire.
Have look at the below threads Grandfather in 43 Recce 43 Recce Regiment WD/History BBC - WW2 People's War - Part 1 - Disaster At Sea
Many thanks for the replies so far. I have changed the email details as suggested. Currently reading the info and links so far posted - many thanks again
Has your father applied for his fathers Service Records? That would help "fill the void" but 72 years after the sinking, the chances of finding anyone who might remember your grandfather are going to be limited by age and infirmity. His Service Records may go a long way to giving your father some ease and it's possible that he was there for your Dad's birth and for a few days after. I'm sure he would at least have known he had a son to grow up and be proud of.
Stewart, Hello and welcome to the forum. Use this search link to view three threads on the subject, which I have posted on. http://ww2talk.com/index.php?search/35334/&q=Wessex+Recce+on+Derrycunihy&o=relevance Regards Tom
Tom, You mention the Derrymore in the search link. She was, of course involved in the evacuation of Singapore - carrying about two hundred. When she was torpedoed, after repeated aircraft attacks, Chief Officer E J Fenn had rafts made to evacuate the survivors; for this he was awarded the OBE. He lost his life off Spitsbergen when the Chumleigh ran ashore in a blizzard and sank, the boats were got away, but the C/O's did not survive the storm. Many of those from the other boat, who made land, died of exposure.
