The Wartime Memories Project - The Second War

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218302 Spr. William James Smith British Army 245 (Welsh) Field Coy Royal Engineers from:London My late dad William (Bill) James Smith served from 1943/46 posted in various European countries Belgium France Holland Germany. He was on the Rhine with the 101st & 82nd American airborne I believe and a Polish armoured division at various times. I have photos of Rhine bridges he I understand was attached to a company called R force at some point? He did not talk much as was the way from what these brave men went through I think at the end of the war in 1945/6 in the Black Forest he went out for rabbits/game and the three of them were walking in the Forest and one fella had in his possession a German Luger pistol and my dad said to him put the pistol away as they are very sensitive by an act of God where my dad was walking they changed their walking formation and the pistol went off and the fella in the position where my dad had been fell shot through the head by accident by the fella who had been forwarned to put away the gun. My Dad tried to stop the blood with his fingers in his head, they were picked up a by a search party after not returning to camp. My Dad did not realise that he had died instantly but would not leave him. I understand that my Dad was put on courts martial with the other fella until the full facts were found he was released with no charge and was commended for what he tried to do at that moment it was as he said an accident and a tragic loss of life and a lesson to respect weapons at all times sad loss to this fella's family. It obviously stayed with my dad till he passed away in June 2000. I have a photo I believe may be one of the fellas who was shot? I do have some other short stories but I cannot substantiate as accurate detail in all my words. Bless Bill my dad and all the brave men &women in all the wars before then and now for all their brave acts for me and all others to live our lives as we do. Robert Smith Add to this record.  Additional Information: My grandfather was William James Smith served with the Royal engineers or REME in ww2. He was divorced from my gran after the war. I have never been able to trace him. I would like to contact Robert Smith to see if this is the same WJ Smith? Gary Sully Reply Related Content: 245th (Welsh) Field Company, Royal Engineers Can you help us to add to our records? Add a record to our website. The names and stories on this website have been submitted by their relatives and friends. If your relations are not listed please add their names so that others can read about them Did you or your relatives live through the Second World War? Do you have any photos, newspaper clippings, postcards or letters from that period? Have you researched the names on your local or war memorial? Were you or your relative evacuated? Did an air raid affect your area? If so please let us know. Help us to build a database of information on those who served both at home and abroad so that future generations may learn of their sacrifice. Contact us. Celebrate your own Family History Celebrate by honouring members of your family who served in the Secomd World War both in the forces and at home. We love to hear about the soldiers, but also remember the many who served in support roles, nurses, doctors, land army, muntions workers etc. Please use our Family History resources to find out more about your relatives. Then please send in a short article, with a photo if possible, so that they can be remembered on these pages.

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