Ronald William Smith

A Gunner with 144 Battery, 35 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Ronald died on 10th of June 1943 aged 21. 

Ronald was born at Carlton Colville on 14 September 1921, a son of James William and Priscilla May Smith. He was baptised at Saint Peter’s Church, Carlton Colville, on 16 October 1921 and his family lived at Kirkley Run. By 1939 their home was at 78 Kirkley Run and Ronald was a factory hand. 

Ronald joined the Royal Artillery in 1941 and served with 35 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment. Ronald’s regiment embarked the liner Empress of Japan at Greenock on 13 November 1941 and arrived at Durban, South Africa, on 18 December 1941. After shore leave the regiment transferred to the S.S. Narkunda and departed on 24 December, reaching Singapore on 13 January 1942. 

Ronald’s battery, the 144th, crossed the Johore Causeway into Malaya and fought hard against the numerous attacks from Japanese Zero aircraft. The battery withdrew to Singapore. Ronald, along with the rest of the battery, were captured at Singapore on 15 February 1942 and was held there until 15 October 1942 when he joined a party of men taken overland to work on the Burma Railway. 

Ronald died from acute enteritis.