pebblebeach
Newbie
Hi I need help please. I am researching the names on our WW2 war memorial in Worthing West Sussex and one of the names in J J F Smith. The only information that I have been able to find in our local archive records is that this person was severely wounded re the Altmark 16th Feb 1940. Looking on the various websites I have found this person listed in The Navy List Dec 1940 page 109 and in an article about the Altmark's capture. Details below:
Meanwhile the "Altmark" which was jammed in the ice in the inner end of the fjord began to work her engines, and in spite of an order to stop, broke free and attempted to ram the "Cossack" as the destroyer came alongside. The only result of the manoeuvre, however, was the grounding of the "Altmark" herself by the stern. The two ships were now only about 8 feet apart and grappling irons were at once thrown out from the "Cossack", and a boarding-party leaped the gap and drove the German crew before them. For a few minutes hand-to-hand fighting was going on in many parts of the ship and the Germans suffered casualties amounting to seven dead and several wounded. The only British casualty was Mr. J. J. F. Smith, gunner in charge of one of the boarding parties who was severely wounded.
This is the only reference I can find of him, he is not on the CWGC listing, he is not on Ancestry or Find My Past. so has anybody got any idea's as to how I can find some details of him. He isn't listed on HMS Cossacks Crew list. He may not have died I just don't know. We just want our memorial to be more than just a list of names. Help please.
Meanwhile the "Altmark" which was jammed in the ice in the inner end of the fjord began to work her engines, and in spite of an order to stop, broke free and attempted to ram the "Cossack" as the destroyer came alongside. The only result of the manoeuvre, however, was the grounding of the "Altmark" herself by the stern. The two ships were now only about 8 feet apart and grappling irons were at once thrown out from the "Cossack", and a boarding-party leaped the gap and drove the German crew before them. For a few minutes hand-to-hand fighting was going on in many parts of the ship and the Germans suffered casualties amounting to seven dead and several wounded. The only British casualty was Mr. J. J. F. Smith, gunner in charge of one of the boarding parties who was severely wounded.
This is the only reference I can find of him, he is not on the CWGC listing, he is not on Ancestry or Find My Past. so has anybody got any idea's as to how I can find some details of him. He isn't listed on HMS Cossacks Crew list. He may not have died I just don't know. We just want our memorial to be more than just a list of names. Help please.
