Major AB Smethurst MC -photo with tank crew

My uncle AB Smethurst is still alive aged 97. His MC citation is (hopefully) attached -not great on copying links. Tom Canning told me how to do it (taking IT lessons from an 87 year old is par for course for me...)
Anyway I now attach a desert (?) picture of AB on a tank. He is the guy second from right (no hat). Any thoughts on setting and others in this picture.

I will try to get more info from him. Indomitably chap-keeps nearly dying but decides green fields not for him yet. was driving until 2009!

 

Susan, great photo and citation.
Your Uncle is obviously a remarkable man.

 

I don't know if it's any help, but they're sat on a German tank.
Panzer III of some sort I'd say. Hard to be sure, but maybe an Ausf L or M.


Thats made me laugh-typical of Uncle AB. Sitting on captured tank! Always lucky -but says my dad was the real soldier.

 

Adam
Think you are right as there were always a few of them around just waiting to be knocked out - it was the gun that I thought a bit odd plus so many wanting their picture took - not all that usual
Cheers

 

Susan.

His citation and Regt place him squarely at Anzio. 46 RTR played a major role in the beachhead. He was supporting my grandfather unit 2nd Battalion Sherwood Foresters although, fortunately he was not serving with them at the time. He had been a Platoon Commander with them in India between the wars but was in a staff job during Anzio. He always asserted that this twist of fate saved his life but killed most of his fellow Officers.

Regards

FdeP

 

Hi Susan.

The 46th RTR were the only Regiment in 23rd Armd Bde to go to Greece in 44 with their tanks but only 25. 50th and 40th RTR were re-trained in the infantry role and public order tactics.

Here is one example of the kind of heroism observed during the troubles in Athens in December 1944 and January 1945. The individual, Cpl Barrack was from 46th RTR.

On the evening of 14th December 1944, an urgent message was received at the Brigade Workshops Orderly Room that casualties from a nearby incident were heading their way. The protecting 46th RTR tanks were soon joined by armoured cars of the same regiment which shot up any enemy known machine gun nests, keeping the enemies heads down. At the same time, Cpl Barrack of 46th RTR pulled up outside the workshops in a truck that had been badly shot up during an ambush near Hadrian’s Arch. As Jim and the workshop guards gave covering fire, Cpl Barrack calmly carried the badly wounded RASC driver to the waiting workshop medics whilst the fitters recovered the truck for repairs. Once satisfied the situation was under control, Cpl Barrack returned to his own armoured car and resumed his escorting duties.

As far as i can tell, he recieved no award for this selfless act of bravery.

Gus

 

The more I look at that picture, the more I think it's an absolute blinder.
Socks & shorts, dessie boots, gaiters and assorted other bits of mixed 'uniform', even someone smoking a pipe.
The British Army in certain corners of WW2 to an absolute T I reckon.
Great stuff.

Yes its a great photo. Brings the war to life for me. One of my daughters thought it was a still from a modern film. Pointed out her Great Uncle -Couldnt believe it was all so long ago as they look so clear and "real".

 

Susan.

His citation and Regt place him squarely at Anzio. 46 RTR played a major role in the beachhead. He was supporting my grandfather unit 2nd Battalion Sherwood Foresters although, fortunately he was not serving with them at the time. He had been a Platoon Commander with them in India between the wars but was in a staff job during Anzio. He always asserted that this twist of fate saved his life but killed most of his fellow Officers.

Regards

FdeP


As mentioned before on the forum the most recent thing my uncle said about the 46th was "we were scuffy not like Brian's lot" (my father in 1RTR). He always told me he was lucky as some senior officer arrived at some point in the desert stage and insisted on driving the jeep which Uncle AB had been driving-At which point BOOM and jeep blown up with driver dead and AB unscathed. ....

 

Adam-
"dessie boots" ..? you mean brothel creepers - only worn by Officers of course ..in suede ! look at the guy on the right in front of AB - typical OR - ammo boots and gaiters.....

Cheers

 

Adam-
"dessie boots" ..? you mean brothel creepers - only worn by Officers of course ..in suede ! look at the guy on the right in front of AB - typical OR - ammo boots and gaiters.....

Cheers

Come on Tom-tell us what you make of this motley crew!? Who and what rank are they. AB seems particularly uninterested in badges etc

 

Found this one as well-AB second from left

My family dont like the sun in their eyes

....

 

Susan -
this second photo is of most of a squadron's officers less the Sdn leader - the poshly dressed one looks like a typical 2 i/c trying to set an example and failing badly - the first photo has at least three OR's- fairly Typical Tank wallahs
Cheers
Tom

 

These photographs weren't 'found' as Ms Smethurst puts it, they were sent to her on the understanding that they wouldn't be posted on this site or anywhere else. Please remove them.

 

And you are... ?

 

Someone who doesn't want photographs of their relatives on a war porn site like this one.

And you are? And you are? And you are?

 

I see you chose your user name well.

 

Someone who doesn't want photographs of their relatives on a war porn site like this one.

And you are? And you are? And you are?
idiot


if you have a comment/issue to make would it not be easier to PM the relevant person and discuss/sort as opposed to posting the derogatory comment above