• Normandy Massacres

Date of birth:

June 29th, 1922 (Birchcliff/Ontario, Canada)

Date of death:

June 8th, 1944 (Audrieu, France)

Buried on:

Canadian War Cemetery Beny-sur-mer
Plot: XIV. Row: B. Grave: 11.

Service number:

B/32922

Nationality:

Canadian

Frederick Smith was raised in a working-class family, he was the son of Ethelbert and Edith Smith. Before enlisting, Frederick worked as a gun barrel setter at Small Arms Ltd. in Long Branch, Ontario, a position he held for two years. He married Margaret Genevieve Smith on December 24, 1942, and the couple lived at 53 Fairfield Avenue in Long Branch. Margaret remained his next of kin throughout his military service.

Frederick enlisted in the Canadian Army under the National Resources Mobilization Act on June 23, 1943, and formally attested for active service on November 8 of that year. He trained at Camp Borden and later at Debert, Nova Scotia, where he was noted for his good physical condition and emerging leadership qualities. His medical records show he was in excellent health, with no significant ailments apart from a minor hydrocele noted in childhood. He was categorized as A-1, fully fit for duty.

Assigned to the Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada, Frederick embarked for overseas service in March 1944. He arrived in the United Kingdom and was soon transferred to the front lines in Northwest Europe. On June 6, 1944, he participated in the D-Day landings in Normandy. Just two days later, on June 8, 1944, Frederick was killed in action in France. His death was initially reported as missing, later confirmed to be murdered by Waffen-SS soldiers.

Frederick left behind a modest estate, including a life insurance policy and personal effects, all bequeathed to his wife Margaret through a will he had prepared before deployment. His widow received a Memorial Cross and war service gratuity.

Do you have more information about this person? Inform us!

• Photo 1: Operation Picture Me
• - Service record(s)

Helaas geen map gevonden.