Frederick John Smith – Royal Engineers, 295 Army Field Company

Sapper Frederick John Smith – Royal Engineers, 295 Army Field Company

Birth and Family Background

John Henry Smith and Janet Gwendoline Mary Smith
marriage certificate
St Peter’s Church, Newton

Frederick John Smith was born in 1920 at Oystermouth. He was the son of John Henry Smith and Janet Gwendoline Mary Smith, who were married in 1915 at St Peter’s Church, Newton

Early Life

1921 Census

At the time of the 1921 Census, the Smith family were residing at 28 Nottage Road, Newton. John Henry Smith, aged 35, was employed as a mason, working for J. Davies, builder, while his wife Janet, aged 29, undertook the household duties. Their only child at this time was Frederick John, aged one year.

Military Service

Frederick served with the Royal Engineers as a Sapper, attached to 295 Army Field Company. Army Field Companies of the Royal Engineers were frontline combat engineering units responsible for tasks such as construction, demolition, mine clearance, and direct battlefield support.

Royal Engineers, 295 Army Field Company 23^rd–24^th October 1942 – El Alamein

The period 23^rd–24^th October 1942 marked the opening phase of the Second Battle of El Alamein, one of the most critical battles of the Second World War. On the night of 23 October, the British Eighth Army launched Operation Lightfoot, a major offensive intended to break through the Axis defensive lines in Egypt.

Units of the Royal Engineers, including 295 Army Field Company, played a central and highly dangerous role in the opening hours of the battle. Royal Engineer sappers were tasked with clearing paths through extensive enemy minefields, breaching obstacles, and preparing routes for advancing infantry and armour, often working at night under heavy enemy fire. Casualties among engineering units during these opening stages were particularly severe.

Death and Commemoration

Sapper Frederick John Smith lost his life between 23^rd and 24^th October 1942, during the opening phase of the battle. He has no known grave, and his name is commemorated on the Alamein Memorial, which honours Commonwealth servicemen who died during the North African campaign and have no known place of burial.