Quentin George Murray Smythe
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Quentin George Murray Smythe VC (6 August 1916-October 1997) was a South African recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
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[edit] Details
He was 25 years old, and a Sergeant in the Royal Natal Carabineers, South African Forces during the Second World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 5 June 1942 in the Alem Hamza area, Western Desert, Egypt, during an attack on an enemy strong-point in which his officer was severely wounded, Sergeant Smythe took command of the platoon although he was himself wounded in the head. When our troops came under enfilade fire from an enemy machine-gun nest he attacked it with hand grenades, capturing the crew. Although weak from loss of blood, he continued to lead the advance and stalking an anti-tank position, he gain attacked and captured it single-handed killing several of the enemy.
London Gazette, 11 September 1942. Alem Hamza, Libya, 5 June 1942, Sergeant Quentin George Murray Smythe, Royal Natal Caribineers, South African Forces. Although handicapped by a wound in his forehead, causing much loss of blood, Smythe managed single handedly to obliterate a machine gun post, taking all the surviving crew prisoner. Then, again single-handedly and armed only with rifle and bayonet, he promptly did the same with an enemy anti-tank gun crew, after which he consolidated the position. However, because of the deterioration of the situation elsewhere, Smythe found himself ordered to withdraw. In spite of a vigorous attempt by the enemy to cut him off, he managed to lead his men back to their lines. It was for this action Captain Smythe was awarded the Victoria Cross.
[edit] Further information
He later achieved the rank of Captain. He died from cancer in Parklands Hospital Durban, South Africa in October 1997. He was a farmer from Richmond, and grandson of the last Prime Minister of Natal, Charles Smythe. He was an outstanding marksman, a passionate conservationist and animal lover. He left his third wife Pat, three sons, a daughter and 11 grandchildren.
The other South African recipients of the VC in World War II were: Gerard Ross Norton, Edwin Swales, and John Dering Nettleton.
[edit] The medal
Auctioned in UK 1998. please update if you know where his medal is publicly displayed
Quentin Smythe was married to my mother,(fondly know as Peggy), formerly Margaret Joan McGregor, formerly Margaret Joan Reid (née Shatwell). After his passing he married his third wife, Pat.Whom sadly I never met. I have no idea of the whereabouts the Auctioned Medal, I do however have a miniature given to my mother during her marriage to Quentin. I also have a book Titled BEYOND THE LAGER which gives small detail of his award. Submitted by Heather Reid.
[edit] References
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
[edit] External links
- Sergeant Q.G.M. Smythe in The Art of War exhibition at the UK National Archives
- News Item (obituary)
