Cyril Mathers Smith
He was a bricklayer in 1939.
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
He was the son of George William and Edith Annie Smith and the brother of Leonard, Minnie and Ronald Smith. In 1921, the family lived at 111, Nottingham Road, Kimberley later relocating to 61, Nottingham Road, Nuthall, (both Nottinghamshire).
Cyril Mathers Smith (Service Number 6479607) was was killed in action at the age of 26 on 17 January 1944 during the fierce opening phases of the Battle of Monte Cassino. His unit, part of the 167th Infantry Brigade (56th London Infantry Division), was heavily engaged in breaching the German-held Gustav Line via the crossing of the Garigliano River on that date.
The Assault: The attack commenced at 21:00 hours under the command of the 56th (London) Infantry Division. The battalion utilized 72 assault boats to ferry infantry across the fast-flowing river near Maiano di Sotto.
Initial Advance: The 8th Royal Fusiliers crossed with relatively light initial opposition, successfully navigating German minefields on the far bank to secure a bridgehead.The Objectives: By dawn, the unit pushed onto the slopes of Colle Salvatito to engage German defensive outposts while Royal Engineers worked behind them to construct vital pontoon bridges.
Once the initial crossing was complete, German forces launched heavy artillery, mortar, and machine-gun counterattacks from the high ground of the Gustav Line. It was during this intense fighting on 17 January that Lance Serjeant Cyril Mathers Smith was killed.
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