Sergeant Frederick A Smyth

Frederick Alexander Smyth enlisted at Biggleswade in 1939, he was posted to the Royal Artillery.

He volunteered for The Parachute Regiment and attended parachute training course number 81 at RAF Ringway between 6 and 16 September 1943. His course report stated: 'Sgt Smythe [sic] ground training good, nervous at first on jumps but finished very well.”'

Sgt Smyth was then posted to The 12th (Yorkshire) Parachute Battalion. He jumped into Normandy on 6 June 1944 from a sterling No 179 from 196 Squadron. This aircraft had a crew of six and dropped Stick No 9 which comprised of 17 paratroopers. Sgt Smyth was the eighth to jump. The Sterling also dropped nine containers.

In April 1945 Sgt Smyth took part in the Rhine Crossing (Operation Varsity) and then the advance across Germany.

Sgt Smyth returned to the Royal Artillery in December 1945.