Missing Presumed Dead Relative

I'm looking to trace a close relative who died in the North Africa campaign. The family were told he was missing presumed dead but no body or further information was ever presented. Unfortunately I do not know his rank, regiment or number. The family were told he was captured as POW on a vessel that was struck by a torpedo whilst in transit. They were told of his status in April 1942, so that is his presumed date of death.

From looking on the internet I see that if he was on board a ship it could haven been either the Sebastiano Veniero (9 December 1941), Ariosto (15 February 1942) or the Tembien (27 February 42), as these correlate with the dates given.

His name was Albert C. Smith, born in Bradley, Bilston, Staffordshire 27 March 1923. The information passed down to me is as follows
'Reported missing presumed dead, possible torpedo attack on ships carrying PoW in Med Sea'.

Can anyone give me pointers to how to trace Albert's military record, memorial listing or the availability of lists of POWs aboard those vessels listed?

Regards,

Richard

 

Unfortunately that's all the information I have.
I've tried searching for a military record online to find his unit, but with his name being Smith its like a needle in a haystack. The relatives who would have know his regiment have all passed away now and his mother wouldn't allow his name on the family grave in case he was still alive.

I do have a photo of Albert himself (not a military photo) but that's the limit of the information. I had hoped that crew lists for the ships would narrow the search but that looks to be a difficult find.

 

To see if it can be narrowed down can you post as much family information as you have, addresses, parents, wife, brothers/sisters etc.

 

Hi Father is Albert Edward Smith born 22 Oct 1891, died 1932. His Mother is Hilda Mary Smith (Hampson) born 24 February 1892, died 17 November 1967. The family including Albert lived 2 Powell Place, Bradley, Bilston, Staffordshire. I think he is on the 1939 register so was not at that point in the military. His siblings are Violet Johnson (1918-1988), Hilda May Johnson (1916-1998) Sylvia M Smith (1925–Deceased), Gertrude Dorothy Smith (1926-1996), Harry Smith (1930-2002). He was unmarried.

 

Is it possible to narrow down what memorial he would be on if he was lost as a POW in the Med? that would help a search

 

I don't have any more information, but I was told that the family were told in 1989 he was on one of those ships [ebastiano Veniero (9 December 1941), Ariosto (15 February 1942) or the Tembien (27 February 42)] that were sunk in friendly fire incidents. I don't know how they were told, but at the time they said his unit matched to others on the vessels. I know the information is vague.

 

Richard, try putting these through CWGC and see if anything is possible:

 

Thank you. I'll have a look though those records.

 

If he was a soldier lost at sea he would be on the Brookwood Memorial . Quick check no Albert C Smith but two Albert E Smith`s.


For searches `Geoffs Search Engine` is still the best option but the link is disabled so you will have to google it .


Kyle

 

He’d be on the Alamein memorial

 

Agreed If he was captured in North Africa prior to the sinking and aboard one of the PoW ships mentioned sunk through friendly fire (Scillin too).
Depends on the circumstances .The SS Shuntien left Tobruk and was sunk with British Troops and 1700 German and Italian prisoners all those soldiers aboard who drowned are on the Brookwood Memorial . At this stage is it clear he was a PoW or escort?

If he was born in 1923 and died 1941-42 he would be 18-19 years old ? Using the age as a search parameter it brings (0) results . The first A C Smith using the date of birth comes up as a 20 yrs old on 17/04/43 too late for this one ?

Kyle

 

I only have the secondhand information now from someone who would be his niece. He is my grand uncle. There was some contact with the family in 1989 that informed them he was likely to have been a prisoner of War on a ship that was torpedoed by the British Navy. I think prior to then he had only been listed as missing presumed dead in North Africa. The date that was passed to me for his presumed death was April 1942.

 

This was the one I found from April 43

7047634 FUS ALBERT CYRIL SMITH
Royal Irish Fusiliers
1st Bn.
Died 17 April 1943
20 years old
MEDJEZ-EL-BAB MEMORIAL
Face 31.
Tunisia

Kyle

 

Richard,

If the ships mentioned in your opening post prove to be correct, then the following file at the National Archives might prove useful:

Casualties at sea: Middle East; Italian vessels carrying British prisoners of war;... | The National Archives

 

Have searched the Army Roll of Honour 1939-1945 for Albert Smiths who were born/lived in Bradley or Bilston or Staffs and found:

4042097 Albert W Smith Gunner Royal Artillery died Malaya 1945

and just one other:

Name: Albert Smith
Given Initials: A C
Rank: Fusilier
Death Date: 17 Apr 1943
Number: 7047634
Birth Place: Staffordshire
Residence: Staffordshire
Branch at Enlistment: Infantry
Theatre of War: North Africa
Regiment at Death: Royal Irish Fusiliers (Princess Victoria’s)
Branch at Death: Infantry

This man started his service in the RIF as his number is from the range 7040001 - 7075000 first used by the RIF in 1920 & still in use until 1941.

 

I'm checking the National Archives website daily to see when they lift the suspension on obtaining copies of the non-digitised records. This was going to be my starting point to work backwards from. I have read that this is known to contain factually incorrect information which was acknowledged but never corrected. It's very sad thinking of the fate of all those poor souls aboard those ships.

 

Thank you, its a good fit for being him as this looks to be the same person as Mr Jinks listed above. The 'C' being for Cyril which is correct as Albert was named after his uncle Cyril Hampson who was a officer in the first world war.

 

This stands a very good chance of being my man. Thank you. I'll ask that family and search for further records to corroborate it.

 

Thank you everyone for you time and help. I greatly appreciate it and all your knowledge.