James Gordon Anstruther Smith (1920-?) [Merchant Seaman / later 232221, Cadet, Corps of Royal Engineers]
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- born 1920 (based on 1921 Census), Slaithwaite
- also known as Gordon Smith
- son of Dr. James Anstruther Smith (1882-1967) & Elizabeth Robertson (née ?), Dr. Smith was the medical officer for the Colne Valley from 1919 (later moved to Mirfield in 1928)
- gave an account of his experience aboard the merchant ship Sneaton, sunk by U-boat U-48 on 14 October 1939
- became a Cadet (232221) in the Corps of Royal Engineers (London Gazette 21 April 1942)
- married Georgina Annabel Watters on 14 October 1944 at Wilson Church, Perth, Scotland
Records:
- 1921 Census (FindMyPast) – Calf Hey, Slaithwaite
- 1945 Electoral Register – 5 King Street, Mirfield
Links:
Huddersfield Examiner 21 October 1939, page 3:
MIRFIELD MAN’S STORY
On Ship Torpedoed in Atlantic
Mr. Gordon Smith, son of Dr. J. A. Smith, of King Street, Mirfield, who is known in the Slaithwaite district, was a member of the crew of the merchant ship Sneaton, which was sunk in the Atlantic by a German submarine last week-end. He has just returned home and told an interesting story of his experiences to a representative of “The England” on Monday.
Mr. Smith said he had been a deck hand in the ship, which left Cardiff last Wednesday week. It was Saturday morning when they were torpedoed. The crew were picked up by a Belgian oil tanker and landed in England on Monday.
There were thirty-three on board at the time, and after the ship had been hit the submarine commander asked if they had sufficient food. He said he was sorry for what he had done and told them to stay around about where they were and they would soon he picked up by a British warship.
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