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Donald Newstead Smith (1906-1983)

Soldier
Service No:7928447
Rank:Sergeant
Squadron:C
Troop:4th
Role:Troop Leader/Tank Commander
Known as:Don
Award(s):Distinguished Conduct Medal (Gazetted 1 Mar 1945). See below
Mentioned in:
23H Story
Page 106
Bishop
Page 38
Images: [Photo 1]
[Photo 2]
[Photo 3 2nd left, Bridlington]
Civilian
Occupation:Veterinary Chemist Salesman
Residence:The Terrace, Rufforth, Nr York, North Yorkshire (1911),
137 Fifth Avenue, York, North Yorkshire (1939)
Birth:22 Aug 1906 in Rufforth
Death:registered Sep 1983 in York
Parents
Arthur Newstead SmithAgnes Frances Potts
Stone Mason.
Great Ouseburn, West Yorkshire.
Birth 4 Mar 1869 in Apperley Road, Eccleshill, Bradford, West Yorkshire.
Baptism 4 Apr 1869 at St Luke's Church, Eccleshill.
Death 3 May 1909 in Great Ouseburn.
Confectioner.
137 Fifth Avenue, York (1939).
Birth 18 Apr 1875 in Rufforth, West Yorkshire.
Baptism 6 Aug 1875 at Rufforth.
Death registered Mar 1954 in Ewecross, West Yorkshire.
Marriage 15 Apr 1895 at Christ Church, Harrogate, North Yorkshire.

Notes

DCM Citation:

"On 6 August 1944, on the high ground at Le Bas Perrier, Sergeant Smith took over 4th Troop from the Troop Leader who had been killed. During the afternoon he was ordered to take his Troop forward to support the Infantry in Le Bas Perrier. Despite the fact that he was suffering from minor injuries and shock caused by a bomb landing next to his tank, Sergeant Smith took his Troop forward. On arriving at the Infantry position Sergeant Smith found his Troop reduced to two tanks. Despite this he went forward to locate a Tiger Tank that was menacing the Infantry. The other tank then broke down but Sergeant Smith continued. He manoeuvred into such a position as to prevent the Tiger coming forward and eventually compelled it to withdraw. Despite his being surrounded by the enemy and under continual fire, Sergeant Smith remained in position until ordered to return to his Squadron. He refused to do so until he was able to recover his other tank. This he did by dismounting from his own tank and under small arms fire attached a rope to this other vehicle in order to give it a tow to start."

Donald is on the list of those who attended the 23H reunion in 1959.