| Notes: | Provost Officer. North Staffordshire Regiment. 16/2/1944 Died. He was born in Staffordshire and resided in Denbighshire. 1/1943 serving with 332 Company VP at Barnby Moor, Yorkshire. 26/10/1943 to 335 Company VP at Barrow on Trent.. Unit War Diary 335 Coy VP. CMP WO 166/16256: 15/2/44 Lt Smith visited Psychiatrist at Mark Eaton Camp Derby. 16/2/44 Instructions received from MI room Western Camp that Lt Smith would be admitted to Royal Hospital, Dumfries. OC instructed by Maj Harris APM to accompany him. Lt Smith met his death at LMS Station Derby. 18/2/44 IC attended inquest of Lt J J E Smith at Boro Coroners Office, Derby. Verdict "Suicide" whilst balance of his mind was disturbed. OC proceeded to Colwyn Bay to attend funeral of Lt. Smith. Newspaper Cutting found in War Diary WO 166/16256 335/Coy VP CMP. Rescue Bid as Officer Jumped Under Train. An attempt to save the life of an Army officer who jumped off a platform at Derby LMS station and dived between two coaches of a train was described at Derby inquest yesterday. The inquest was into the death of Lieut. Joseph Ernest Smith, aged 45, of the North Staffordshire Regiment. His wife and their small daughter live at "Graralewen" Endsleigh Road, Old Colwyn, North Wales. The Deputy Borough Coroner, Mr F L Long gave a verdict of "Suicide while the balance of his mind was disturbed. Between The Coaches. The tragedy occurred on Thursday, when Lieut. Smith was waiting with Capt. J Hinchliffe on No. 12 platform for a train to Dumfries. He suddenly jumped down, crossed the Lines and threw himself between two coaches of a train which was slowly moving from the opposite platform. He was killed instantly. Capt. Hinchcliffe said yesterday that Lieut. Smith appeared quite normal as they were standing on the platform. It was a shock to him when he jumped. It was all don so quickly. Two Yards Behind. He jumped down after him, and was only two yards behind when he dived between the last two coaches of the train. It was impossible for me to prevent him doing this act, said Capt Hinchcliffe. I tried to get hold of him but was unable to do so. He explained that Lieut. Smith who held a commission during the last was, rejoined the Forces in 1940 and at the time of his death was serving with him attached to the Military Police stationed near Derby. He added that he was highly strung. He went to the south coast last August on an exercise but after about eight days the work was perhaps a little too much for him and he went into hospital. Capt. Hinchcliffe continued that he returned to duty again, but was going to Dumfries for further treatment. He was instructed to accompany him. This was a usual procedure. He concluded that he had never heard Lieut. Smith threaten to take his life, but said that there could be no question of the tragedy being an accident. Giving his verdict, the Coroner remarked that apart from some hospital treatment for nerves, Lieut. Smith had apparently done his duty. I consider he is just as much a casualty as if he had been killed in the front line. 16/2/1944 Casualty List (Officers) 1381, Home, Died.
Joseph Ernest Smith. |
UNITED KINGDOM
