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Auction: 25111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 607

Three: Private G. N. Smith, Pioneer Corps, who was taken Prisoner of War at Dunkirk on 25 May 1940 and suffered poor medical treatment whilst working in the mines as a P.O.W.

1939-45 Star; War Medal 1939-45; Special Constabulary L.S. & G.C., E.II.R. (George N. Smith), sold together with a Dunkirk Medal, the official group mounted recently for wear, together with both named boxes of issue, very fine (3)

George Nesbitt Smith was born on 19 October 1908 at Glasgow, Lanarkshire, the sone of Adam and Mary Smith. Working as a Valet in 1939 while living at 47 Marsh Lane, Barton-on-Humber, Lincolnshire he enlisted with the Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps on 28 March 1940.

Entering the War in France not long after his enlistment Smith was taken prisoner of war at Boulogne on 25 April 1940. Taken initially to Stalag VIIIB Smith was soon selected for work, being made a kitchen worker in Sabano, Silesia from 21 June 1940. Working in this role in several camps he was transferred to mining on 2 June 1944 at Cleiwtz.

The conditions there were appalling and Smith soon began to suffer with 'boils + ulcers' as a result of the mine conditions. His prisoner of war questionnaire notes the lack of medical treatment, giving the answer to the question 'did you receive adequate medical treatment' by stating:

'No, Medical Supplies very scarce, British M.O.s Did best they could, but hampered by Germans.'

Repatriated after the war Smith settled back in Lincolnshire and died in North Lincolnshire on 30 May 1990; sold together with copied research, an enamelled Lincoln Country Special Constable badge and a Barton-On-Humber A.F.S. bracelet named 'G. Smith'.

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Sold for
£180

Starting price
£80