Sgt Lawrence George 'Larry' Smith
Larry was born at the Richmond Barracks. He had a brother, Norman, a tank commander, who died in France during the events just prior to the evacuation at Dunkirk. Larry himself enlisted in the Royal Armoured Corps at the age of 14. Later after volunteering for the Commandos he joined No 7 Commando. He was taken prisoner after the Bardia raid and spent a long time as a PoW. Larry was a fine clarinetist and worked as a professional musician and music educator. Larry played the clarinet and was an assistant director in the Royal Life Guards Band while serving in the Household Cavalry. When he retired from military life, he and his family emigrated to Canada in 1951, and then to the United States. While I knew him, he and his family lived in Connecticut, a northeastern state just north of New York City. Upon his retirement he lived happily with his small family- his Scottish wife May, and Gordon, their only son who died this year (2017). Larry enjoyed gardening, reading, and was a great letter writer. He died on the 30th March 1996.
316217 SMITH Lawrence George Sergeant R.A.C. & 7 Commando
Born : 11th August 1913 Dublin, Ireland
Enlisted : 28th October 1927 aged 14 years and 2 months
Trade on enlistment : Musician
Captured during the raid on Bardia, Libya, 20th April 1941
P.O.W. Stalag VIIIA Görlitz.
Transferred to the Household Cavalry 22nd August 1945
His younger brother who was not a Commando was killed in action :
316722 SMITH Norman Edward Alfred Sgt. 17/21st Lancers R.A.C.
Born : 18th September 1915 Kildare, Wicklow, Ireland
Enlisted : 15th October 1929 Age 14
Died of wounds : 26th April 1943 Tunisia
[view CWGC record]
Sources:
Message with documents posted on Forum in his name [view]
CWGC
POW record National Archives WO 392/1 - 'Germany & German Occupied Territories, Imperial Prisoners of War; Section 1 - British Army.
Casualty Lists posted on Forum message above.
|
Full size:
316x440
|