Quentin George Murray Smythe
Sergeant, Royal Natal Carabiniers. South African Forces
- Register No.
- 1169 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Sergeant all Sergeants →
- Unit
- Royal Natal Carabiniers. South African Forces (register: Royal Natal Carabineers) all Royal Natal Carabineers VCs →
- Date of action
- 5 June 1942 on this day → all of 1942 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Second World War
- London Gazette
- 11th September 1942 on this day → all of 1942 →
- Born
- 6th August 1916 at Nottingham Road, Natal, South Africa
- Medal held by
- unknown
Digest of citation
During an attack on an enemy strong point in the Alam Hamza area of the Western Desert on 5th June 1942, Sergeant Smythe took command of the platoon, even though he himself had been wounded in the head, after his officer had been severely wounded causing him to be incapacitated. The troops came under enfilade fire from an enemy machine gun nest. Sergeant Smythe, using hand-grenades, attacked it and captured the crew. He continued to lead, even though he was weak from loss of blood. They stalked and anti-tank position, where he again attacked, single-handed, and, after killing several of the enemy, captured it
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
SMYTHE, Quentin George Murray. (reg No. 1169).
Sergeant. Royal Natal Carabiniers. South African Forces.
London Gazetted on 11th September 1942.
VC Medal's Custodian is unknown.
Born on 6th August 1916 at Nottingham Road, Natal, South Africa.
Digest of Citation reads: During an attack on an enemy strong point in the Alam Hamza area of the Western Desert on 5th June 1942, Sergeant Smythe took command of the platoon, even though he himself had been wounded in the head, after his officer had been severely wounded causing him to be incapacitated. The troops came under enfilade fire from an enemy machine gun nest. Sergeant Smythe, using hand-grenades, attacked it and captured the crew. He continued to lead, even though he was weak from loss of blood. They stalked and anti-tank position, where he again attacked, single-handed, and, after killing several of the enemy, captured it.
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