Pte. Isaac Moralee Smith
British Army 64th HAA Regiment Royal Artillery
from:West Rainton, Durham
My father, Isaac Smith, was with 64th Heavy Anti Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery. Dad never talked about the war. After he died I found his testimonial on leaving the Army in which it mentions commando raids from Vis. Sgt Godwin of R.E.M.E. Att. 64th H.A.A. Regt. R.A, mentions Vis, Croatia where his artillery units were based, gives a good account of the regiment. I also recall a photograph of Dad having a shower, watched by locals near a church wall with the artillery gun behind. This church I believe is in Komiza.
The final base for his unit was Gartow, Germany, where he befriended an ex German colonel named Rich Snatzer. Dad supplied his family with toys and food, and Snatzer gave him a silver plated fruit bowl enscribed to Isaac Smith Gartow, 1946 (still in my possession). I traced Rich Snatzer after father died in 1977, and met him in 1986 in Germany. His whole family was overjoyed and couldn't do enough for us. My mother later was invited and went to stay with the family for a week in 1987.
