Joseph Smith, also known as Smudger or Johnny was my father, and I would like to hear from anyone that either knew him, or knows anyone that may have known him during WW2 or thereafter.
My late father Joseph was born on 7th of December 1922 in Everton, Merseyside. He enlisted in the Army in Liverpool on 25th of April 1941 at the age of 18, proudly following the family tradition set by his father Harold Sidney Smith, who was a WW1 veteran.
Joseph was first posted to the 70th Battalion The Kings Regiment Liverpool, a young soldiers territorial battalion. He was later posted to the Lancashire Fusiliers 7th of January 1943 for a short period before being transferred again to the 8th Irish Battalion The Kings Regiment Liverpool on 3rd of April 1943.
On D-Day Joseph landed with the 8th Irish on Juno Beach at Mike Green in support of Canadian forces, namely the Royal Winnipeg Rifles. His battalion formed part of the 7th Beach Group. He spent around 6 weeks at Juno Beach before the 8th Irish were disbanded, and he was subsequently transferred on to the 1st Battalion The Royal Ulster Rifles on 21st of July 1944 and joined the 1st RUR's at Le Mesnil, just east of the Pegasus Bridge.
Joseph continued his service with the 1st Royal Ulster Rifles in France, Belgium, Holland, and Germany. He took part in Operation Varsity, the allied airborne invasion of Germany, as part of the 6th Airlanding (Glider) Brigade, attached to the 6th Airborne division, landing on the 24th of March 1945 by glider at Hamminkeln. At this time Joseph was promoted to the rank on Lance Corporal.
After the war Joseph was deployed to Palestine on the 1st of October 1945 with the 1st RUR's still attached to the 6th Airborne Division. Joseph was also a member of the 1st RUR's football team.
For his service during WW2 Joseph was awarded the 1939-45 Star, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal, and the War Medal 1939-45, and I have claimed these medals from the MoD, and I am proud to display them.
During his service with the 1st RUR's Joseph became great friends with his comrade Sidney Everitt. During a period of leave, Sidney took Joseph home with him to the East End of London.
Sidney was married to Elizabeth Snell, and during this leave Joseph was introduced to Elizabeth's sister Rebecca (my mum). The rest is history and Joseph and Rebecca became a couple and later married in 1949.
Joseph's service in Palestine ended on 5th of September 1946 and he was subsequently then placed on reserve until 1954, the year I was born.
My dad died in 1963 when I was only 8 years old. I knew nothing about his Army service. I knew he had been in the Army and had seen some photos that my mum Rebecca had, but that's all.
I have carried out painstaking research to uncover his story and I am immensely proud of his contribution to the war. Everything I have related here has been a labour of love.
Again, I would love to hear from anyone who knew Joseph or knows anyone who may have known him. Maybe your father or grandfather were in Palestine or were in the same football team?
It's a long shot after so long.
