Sgt William 'Bill' Smith

William Smith was born on 13 April 1910 at 19 George Henry Street in Salford. He was baptised at St Joseph's RC church in Ordsall, Salford on 29 May 1910.

He married Catherine Leighton at St Joseph's church. They had three children: Brian, Anthony and Catherine. At the time of his marriage Bill Smith was a bottler in a brewery.

The following is a summary of the service of 3460235 Sergeant William Smith with the Lancashire Fusiliers:
26 July 1940 Was deemed to have been enlisted into the Lancashire Fusiliers embodied Territorial Army and posted to 10th Battalion.

13 May 1941 Promoted Lance Corporal

28 March 1942 Appointed Acting corporal

26 June 1942 Granted War Substantive Rank of Corporal

22 January 1943 Appointed Acting Sergeant

17 March 1943 Relinquishes Acting Rank

7 June 1943 Reinstated Acting Sergeant

11 October 1943 Granted War Substantive Rank of Sergeant

11 July 1945 Posted to Holding Battalion Training Depot

10 August 1945 Posted to No. 6 Holding Battalion

13 March 1946 Released to Royal Army Reserve

10 February 1954 Discharged. Cause of discharge: on termination of engagement

Service with the Colours:
26 July 1940 to 13 March 1946
Overseas Service: India, 3 December 1941 to 9 August 1945
Took part in 2nd Chindit Expedition

Military Conduct: Exceptional

Testimonial: "This soldier has shown himself to be of first class quality starting from Fusilier and now Sergeant. Is clean , smart and willing, can shoulder responsibility. Is a good sportsman and organiser. Has aquitted himself in action and shown he has good leadership qualities, and men under his command have faith in his ability."

Medals Issued: 1939-1945 Star
Burma Star
Defence Medal
War Medal 1939-1945

Post War

After the war Bill Smith returned to his family in Salford. He worked for many years at the gasworks on Liverpool Street in Salford. He lived mostly in the Ordsall area until it was redeveloped, but he remained close by.

He never spoke of his war service. He lived at Denbigh Place when he died of lung cancer on 20 September 1978 at St Ann's Hospice, Heald Green.

He was 68.