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William Smith ww2

J

janparf

proper brummie kid
Hello, Im trying to find out any info on my Grt Uncle William Smith, who I have been told died in WW2. Would anyone know if there is a list of service men who lived in Birmingham or any list of the dead on war memorials etc for Birmingham. I have found quite a few William Smiths on the cwgc website etc but have not been able to identify which one could be him.

Any help would be brilliant please
Jan
 
Hi Jan
There are Birmingham war memorials for those that served in both world wars but you may have the same problems as with the CWGC about identifying which one, although you could cross reference the Birmingham enteries with the onces on the CWGC site as it usually gives an address or relatives of the fallen soldier I think.

https://www.hallofmemory.co.uk/search/

Louisa
 
Don't think you've got much chance of finding your William without a lot more information and time spent on research. Can you give any more information.

Colin
 
Thank you both for the help.

William was born in 1912 in Wattstown, Glamorgan, his parents were Frederick George & Jane Hannah Smith. Frederick died & Jane Hannah & most of the family moved to Birmingham between 1940 & 1942 when jane Hannah died. Im afraid I dont know much more about him at the moment. One member of the family thought that he died in Burma & another thinks Dunkirk. I know as you said its a very long shot.
Thanks again
Jan
 
Hi Jan

I wonder if this could be him?
The Army Roll of Honour for 1939-1945 has a William Smith, born Glamogan, died in Burma on 18 March 1943. He was a Lance Sergeant in the Royal Welch Fusilliers no. 4189779 Infantry.

Also the Armed Forces BMD details has a death registered for a William Smith, Royal Welch Fusilliers, Lance Sergeant, No. 4189779 in 1943 reference - Volume 3 Page 350.

Hope it helps:)
Suzanne
 
Hi Jan

CWCG has a record for the above soldier giving his age as 28 died on 18/3/1943 which would make his birth year circa 1915 depending on his birth day. So if you are sure of his birth year as 1912 it probably isn't your man:(

regards
Suzanne
 
Thanks again,

I wonder if there is a way other than applying for his service record to find out more about him, who his parents or wife was etc or where he was living...that would most probably prove if it is him or not.

Sorry made mistake last night at Williams birth year.....he was born 25th march 1914.

Thanks again
Jan
 
Hi Jan

So if he was born 25th March 1914 the above man died 18th March 1943 aged 28 so he wouldn't have had his birthday. If he had died after his birthday he would have been 29 giving a birth year of 1914!!!! This could be him then?

Suzanne
 
Thats right, could be him, right age & born right place ( well at least Glamorgan, pitty hadnt siad Wattstown or Ynyshir). Shame you cant find out where someone enlisted or next of kin like you can for ww1.
Thanks Suzanne for the help
Jan
 
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