| Rank | CSM., Sergeant |
| Service # | A49622 |
Born 9/08/1904 at Chatham, ON. he resided there all of his life less the time in the Army. The son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Henry W. Smith; he had a twin sister Mrs. Milton Suter of Fletcher, ON. Prior to joining the Army Ollie was employed in the Bailiff’s department in the civil service. CDN 25/01/44.
He enlisted with the 1st Kent when they mobilized in 1939. Transferred to the Prince of Wales Own Regt. PWOR (family) and transferred again to the Stormont, Dudes and Glengarry Regt. (Glens) to go overseas in December of 1943.
Oliver was reported wounded in action Sunday, 9 July, 1944 with the “Glens” in the Battle for Caen, France. In a letter to his sister Sgt. Smith writes from an English nursing home right the following to his sister:
“Jerry mortared us all the way and once or twice I was too close to where they hit. A piece or stone or dirt must have struck me as I saw stars when I was hit. The wound bleed badly and it looked worse than it really was, but we kept going until we had reached our objective. I was surprised and happy to be evacuated to England. Better chance for the nerves to rest up a bit.”
The CDN 25/01/44 reported Sgt. Smith with the Prince of Wales Own Regt. and he had left for overseas duty as a replacement. Accompanying the letter was a Canadian Army Casualty postcard with a message printed my Sgt. Smith: “I have been admitted to hospital and am doing well. Wounded and hope to be discharged soon.” CDN25/09/44
The CDN 18/07/44 Reported to his sister of life in France the invasion. Sgt. Smith formerly of the Reserve Army had enlisted in the First Kent’s and had been overseas since December of 1943.
Five days later his twin sister Mrs. Milton Sutter of Raleigh Twsp., Kent Co. received some troubling information. A “Casualty Post Card “ went as follows:
“I have been admitted to hospital and am doing well. Wounded and hope to be discharged soon.”
Arriving about the same time is a letter with more details as follows
He was hit and slightly wounded on Sunday 9 July
“Jerry mortared us all the way and once or twice I was too close to where they hit. A piece of stone or dirt must have struck me as I saw stars when I was hit. The wound bled badly and it looked worse than it really was but we kept going until we had reached our objective. Was surprised happy.
To be evacuated to England. Better chance for the nerves to rest up a bit.
Information from James Smith that Oliver Wendall was a Sgt. Major before he was discharged from service. JRH: cannot confirm at this time.
The CDN 14/12/45(P) reported that Sgt. O. W. Smith returned to Canada aboard the troop ship “Maureatania” arrived in Chatham on the 13th of December. Next of Kin: Mrs. O. Suter, R.R.2 Fletcher, ON.
Oliver ‘Ollie’ Smith died at the age of 77 in September of 1981 and was interned at Maple Leaf Cemetery, Chatham.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
| Sources | CFF-FD44, PSUC-RH, IODE(P), CDN 25/07/44(P) , CDN 18/07/44, CDN-Obit 18/09/81, J. O. Smith (son) |
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