265069 Sgt. Cyril George Smethurst Union Defence Force Royal Durban Light Infantry from:Durban, South Africa Uncle Cyril Smethurst was not very talkative about his experiences and, although married to Marge before the War, they did not have any children who could have been privy to his war-time exploits.
In May 1945 he and some fellow Durban Light Infantry pals were not part of the Long March, so found their way as small group to a village or small town.
He had managed to secure a discarded German Luger revolver without ammunition during the camp disruptions caused by the liberators which he used to good effect by hijacking a car from a poor fellow looking down the barrel of the empty Luger. This proved useful for transportation, but sadly, no destination is available for disclosure. It must have worked out well, as he returned to the Union of SA. and died in his home town aged 89.
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