Third Generation  

4. Arthur John Ulph SMITH [3516], son of Arthur Ulph SMITH [3529] and Edith Mary WARD [3530], was born on 22 Feb 1896 in Beach Villa Beeston Nottingham Nottinghamshire England, died on 2 Jun 1967 in Mater Hospital South Brisbane Queensland Australia at age 71, and was buried on 5 Jun 1967 in Albany Creek Crematoriam Brisbane Queensland Australia.

General Notes: Ashes are in Single Niche No. A35 of the War Service Memorial, Albany Creek, Brisbane, QLD. Reference is A2673TD. Rev. E. A. BRADLEY, Rector, St.James, Enoggera Rd. Newmarket. ...
See Notes under Margaret Currie (Ulph-Smith) for details of "Jack's" early childhood. Jack attended King Edward VII College, Sheffield. Following that he worked as a Junior Clerk at Hadfields Steel Foundry in Sheffield during the latter half of 1911. Following that it is believed he was employed as an Apprentice Fitter (possibly for the same Company) until 1914. When he was just over 17 years old, on March 19, 1914, he left England for Australia on the P.& O. 11,000 ton T.S.S.BELTANA. On arrival in Australia he apparently made his way to the Northern Rivers of N.S.W. where he worked for a time "on the Roads". He subsequently trained as and was employed as a Herd-tester, testing Dairy Herds for Milk and Cream quality. On August 20, 1915 he enlisted from Brisbane in the 47th Battalion, Australian Imperial Forces AIF A photograph of Jack taken sometime during WWI states he was in the 13/15th Rifles. Who or what that Battalion was is at present unknown. Following Service in Egypt and France, he was discharged, as a Corporal, Medically unfit, as a result of "Trench Feet" acquired in the Trenches of France. On his return to Australia, he was given a Government Land Grant, which proved to be an un-workable swamp. He abandoned this; and was employed for a time in various Government Driving jobs in Brisbane. He was subsequently employed as a Sales Representative in the Printing Industry. During the course of his employment with the Howard Printing Works, at Graham St., South Brisbane he married "the Daughter of the Boss", Lucy Howard. He later worked for Simpson Halligan & Co., in the same capacity, where he was employed for a total of about 21 years. From late 1946 he was the Proprietor of both a Boarding House, and a General Store at Southport, South of Brisbane. Neither of these were exceptionally successful and he returned to Brisbane again as a Printer's Rep- resentative with Watson Ferguson. In 1949 he again left Brisbane, purchasing a Pineapple Farm at Montville, on the Ranges to the North of Brisbane. After about 8 years he returned to Brisbane to again work for Simpson Halligan as a Printer's Rep During this time, as a result of being a constant heavy Smoker, aggravated (probably) by the use of Pesticides and Weedicides on the Farm he was constantly ill, suffering from a form of Anaemia and Emphysema. When they were married, Jack and "Luce" made their (New) Home at Sandgate Road, Nundah, at the top of "Buck's Hill". They lived here until they bought the Boarding House, "Rowallen", The Esplanade, Southport. From there they purchased the "Tropical Cafe", Brighton Parade, Southport. From Southport they returned to Brisbane to live at Oxlade Drive, New Farm. They then moved to the "Farm" at Flaxton Road, Montville. Following their final return to Brisbane they lived firstly at 46 Speight Street, Brighton; and finally at 52 Lovegrove Street, Zillmere. ... "Jack" was always a genuine "Gentleman". He was completely honest and above-board; and always had the respect of his associates. He was always willing to carry a part of the load of whatever Social Activity in which he was involved. He was firstly Secretary of his Football Club, "Brisbane City" about the mid 20's. He was subsequently Secretary of Robert McGavin Masonic Lodge, Vulture St., South Brisbane, of which he was a member for many years also serving as Worpshipful Master. He was also a member of the Grand Lodge (Masonic) of Queensland where he served as Sword Bearer. As a result of changing fortune (the financial difficulty of running a Pineapple Farm) he retired from his association with the Masonic lodge, although he was well enough thought of for the Members to offer to defer his fees. During the 1939-45 War he tried to enlist; but was rejected due to his age and prior disability. However, he did serve with the Auxilliary Fire Service, mostly practising hosing "the bush" around Nundah; and "pumping out" the odd Air Raid Shelter. During his time as a Pineapple Farmer he was active with the Montville Pineapple Farmers Association; and the Committee of Direction of Fruit Marketing. As well as being the "Gentleman" mentioned above, he was kind and tolerant and a loving Father and Grand-father. ...
H.U.Smith. January 1988.

In a Letter, dated November 17, 1938, Janet Clara Stanger-Smith wrote to A.J.U.Smith after a long period of no contact, part of which said:
"I should have known a lot more about you, how the first arrangements materialized for you and not Harold to live with the March Grandpapa [John Stanger Smith and Emma Ulph]. I wish I knew where Harold is - does anybody know? It seems so sad to have lost sight of him so completely. I don't even know if he came through the War all right. Did you see him at all during the War? Poor Harold, he had a rather bad Legacy of nerves. His health much improved in March [The Township or Village] with the open air live. Alas! he lacked strength of will & I always think that was due to Minnie's drastic treatment at Beeston. As soon as I went for a short time to keep house there, I got rid of her - her influence was not good.
You were then such a jolly little boy. I was loth to part with you when Sheffield [the Chesterman Family?] claimed you; but it had to be & you had more opportunities than ever March would have furnished."

Noted events in his life were:

• Census: at 7 Clarkehouse Road, a Boarder. At that Time he would have been a Student a King Edward VII School about 100 Yards 'down the Road'., 1911, Sheffield Yorkshire England.

Arthur married Lucy Susan Doris HOWARD [3515] on 20 Dec 1924 in St Andrews C.Of E., South Brisbane, Qld. Lucy was born on 8 Jan 1902 in Grahame St South Brisbane QLD Australia, died on 22 Dec 1986 in Western Suburbs Hospital Croydon NSW Australia at age 84, and was buried in Ashes in care of her Family.

The child from this marriage was:

2         i.  Howard Ulph SMITH [3514] (born on 19 Jan 1932 in Wattlebrae Hospital Kalinga Brisbane Queensland Australia)

5. Lucy Susan Doris HOWARD [3515], daughter of Ernest Augustus HOWARD [3636] and Lucy Elizabeth HUNT [3637], was born on 8 Jan 1902 in Grahame St South Brisbane QLD Australia, died on 22 Dec 1986 in Western Suburbs Hospital Croydon NSW Australia at age 84, and was buried in Ashes in care of her Family.

Lucy married Arthur John Ulph SMITH [3516] on 20 Dec 1924 in St Andrews C.Of E., South Brisbane, Qld. Arthur was born on 22 Feb 1896 in Beach Villa Beeston Nottingham Nottinghamshire England, died on 2 Jun 1967 in Mater Hospital South Brisbane Queensland Australia at age 71, and was buried on 5 Jun 1967 in Albany Creek Crematoriam Brisbane Queensland Australia.

6. Robert GREER [3729], son of Robert GREER [3738] and Mary Jane MOORHEAD [3739], was born on 12 Dec 1907 in Belfast Co. Antrim Ireland, died on 1 Nov 1944 in Westkapelle Holland at age 36, and was buried in New Community Cemetery Oostende West-Vlaanderen Belgium.

General Notes: While Robert's Death Certificate states he died on January 01, 1944, it does not state where he died, only "On War Service";
but from the UK Forces War Records it states that he died on November 02, 1944.
Furthermore, his Death Certificate states he was a Sgt. (Ty), whereas the Forces War Record says he was a Sergeant, with no Comment about being Temporary.
If he died as per the Death Certificate, it would be prior to the Invasion of Europe in June 1944, as is believed by his Daughter, but in fact he died in November 1944, at the Attack on Westkapelle in Holland.
We now have complete Information provided by Richard Blyth, a Naval Rating who served on the same Vessel as did Sgt. Robert Greer at Operation Infatuate II.
Operation Infatuate II:
The Support Squadron Eastern Flank (SSEF) Force sailed from England on the 27th October 1944 to Ostend. SSEF consisted of 6 LCG(L)s and 2 LCG(M)s, 6 LCFs, 6 LCSs and five rocket craft, a force of 25 craft, there was also a small fleet of other landing craft including LCIs and LCTs that would take the commandos, second wave troops and amphibious vehicles, SSEF sailed from Ostend at 3.25am. In the early hours of November 1st 1944 Royal Marine commandos attacked at Westhopple [Westkapelle] in Holland as part of the Operation Infatuate to secure the Port of Antwerp to supply the Allies, the port was required as so rapidly was the Army advancing through Northern France and Belgium that supplying them was a problem.The assault by the SSEF had to be made in broad daylight at 9.15am, the weather was terrible, the planes were grounded that were going to support us. Warspite, Erebus and Roberts with their big guns were firing at the gun emplacements ashore but could not see the results. The spotter plane for them was also grounded owing to the bad weather. The SSEF plan was to split in two equal escort groups, one going south of the gap and one going north. The LCG(L)s were ordered to engage the Westkapelle Battery and went in firing.
As they passed a certain point some of the German guns opened fire to be joined later by the big guns at the Westkapelle main Fort. The enemy firing was heavy and very close, big shells being hurtled back in reply to our 4-7" Guns. Four LCT(R)S fired their 6" rockets at the beach head in batches. Each craft carried on its deck 1080 6" rockets, four craft like that could and did a lot of damage. Now it was crisis time in one of the most bitter and gallant battles of the war, as the first landing craft carrying the commandos headed for the gap in the Dyke the enemy batteries put up a devastating hail of fire. The two groups of SSEF craft were ordered closer in to draw away this fire by engaging the enemy guns at point blank range. LCG(M)102 beached down on the south side of the gap and engaged her target pillbox with her 3" guns and was immediately caught in a rain of shells at close range. Soon she had been hit several times and was on fire. Her crew got the fire under control but she was hit again and again, she was broken and burning on the beach. There were no survivors.
In the northern group LCG(L)1 (NOTE: Robert Greer served on LCG(L)1, as did the Author, Richard Blyth, R.N.) went in with her guns blazing independently and closed to 600 yards in spite of being hit three times by shells. Now she got hit several more times and then came the big one, a shell hit the bridge - there was a tremendous explosion. Our skipper, Lieutenant Ballard RNR, was wounded. The shell took the compass from his hand before it exploded then another shell blasted away the compass pedestal and voicepipe. All the officers were now wounded and the craft came to a stop with two dead and twenty wounded.
The survivors were rescued by LCS510. LCG(L)17 tried to take LCG(L)1 in tow, but the stricken craft sank. The skipper of LCG(L)17 Lt. Scammell received wounds coming to the assistance of LCG(L)1 of which he died. Out of the twenty-five craft in the SSEF a total of nine craft were lost and nine others badly damaged. Of the crews, 172 officers and men killed and 200 wounded.
Medals awarded:1 OBE, 1 DSO, 18 DSCs, 4 DSC (BAR)s, 1 DSC (2nd BAR), 2 CGMs, 27 DSMs and many others mentioned in dispatches.
This item is just a very small part of a gallant action by all who took part in this operation. If only it could do justice to all of the personnel involved but it seems such a puny effort on my part. There is so much that should have been written about Walcheren but as you say to anyone, how can you describe a craft that doesn't have a name, is flat bottomed, chugs along at about 10 knots, the regular navy regards them as kipper boxes.
One RN officer went so far as to say, "I would not take one outside the harbour." But the officers and men were second to none, we upheld the Royal Navy tradition for guts and tenacity. More should be written about Walcheren before the last of us cross the Bar. R Blyth LCG(L)1

CASUALTIES ON BOARD LCG(L)1 were:
1. CLARK, ROBERT, Royal Marines, posted Missing, believed killed, and
2. GREER, ROBERT, Sergeant (No. CH/X 3121), Royal Marines, buried at the New Community Cemetery at Oostende, Belgium.

Noted events in his life were:

• birth: Registration Number is U/1908/48/1007/102/22, born at 15 Dagmar Street, 12 Dec 1907, Belfast Co. Antrim Ireland.

• Military Service: a Member of the Royal Marines, 1931-1944.

• Residence: at Navy House, Clover Street at the Time of his Marriage, 12 Sep 1931, Chatham Kent England.

• He was at 252 Pier Road with his Wife and 3 Children during the 1939 Registration at Gillingham Kent England.

• Military Service: a Royal Marine Corporal, aboard the HMS Suffolk, Aug 1942.

• Death: aboard an LCC [Landing Craft, Command], otherwise known as an Aphibious Command Ship, probably somewhere in the English Channel, 1 Jan 1944, Belgium.

Robert married Margherita Giuseppa Carla Maria Joanna WHITWORTH [3730] on 12 Sep 1931 in St Michael the Archangel RC Church Ordnance Place Chatham Kent England. Margherita was born on 7 May 1911 in Senglea Malta and died Sep Q 1990 in Swale Kent England at age 79. Another name for Margherita was Margaretta Josephina Carola Mary Joan WHITWORTH.

Children from this marriage were:

          i.  Robert J GREER [3731] was born 3 Qtr 1932 in Tendring Essex England.

3        ii.  Margaret Mary Theresa Eileen GREER [3513] (born on 24 Aug 1934 in Chatham Kent England)

        iii.  Patricia M GREER [3732] was born 3 Qtr 1937 in Medway Kent England.

         iv.  Mary M GREER [3733] was born 4 Qtr 1941 in Chatham Kent England.

7. Margherita Giuseppa Carla Maria Joanna WHITWORTH [3730], daughter of John William WHITWORTH [4368] and Giuseppa Lorenza Antonia ETHERIDGE [114052], was born on 7 May 1911 in Senglea Malta and died Sep Q 1990 in Swale Kent England at age 79. Another name for Margherita was Margaretta Josephina Carola Mary Joan WHITWORTH.

General Notes: In an e-Mail received from Joyce [Pickering] Trousdale in July 2018, she mentioned:
a Margaret Whitworth was a Resident in a Navy Orphanage. This Margaret was born circa 1904, so is probably not "our" Margaretta.
The "Alternate" Name for Margherita is the Name she used when registering the Birth of her Daughter Margaret Mary Teresa Eileen.

Noted events in her life were:

• Residence: at 5 Sawyer's Place, Old Brompton Road at the time of her Marriage, 12 Sep 1931, Gillingham Kent England.

• Occupation: a Chambermaid at a Hotel at the time of her Marriage, 12 Sep 1931, Gillingham Kent England.

• She was living at 252 Pier Road with her Family [although some Members are redacted from the Record] at Gillingham Kent England at the Time of the 1939 Registration.

Margherita married Robert GREER [3729] on 12 Sep 1931 in St Michael the Archangel RC Church Ordnance Place Chatham Kent England. Robert was born on 12 Dec 1907 in Belfast Co. Antrim Ireland, died on 1 Nov 1944 in Westkapelle Holland at age 36, and was buried in New Community Cemetery Oostende West-Vlaanderen Belgium.

Margherita next married William IRELAND [4343], son of William IRELAND [4344] and Joan [4345], 4 Qtr 1946 in Chatham Kent England. William was born about 1914.