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Canadian Virtual War Memorial

George Preston Smith

In memory of:

Private George Preston Smith

November 12, 1944
Netherlands

Military Service

Service Number:

F/82406

Age:

21

Force:

Army

Unit:

North Shore (New Brunswick) Regiment, R.C.I.C.

Additional Information

Born:

September 3, 1923
Kinkora, Prince Edward Island

Enlistment:

April 1, 1943
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island

Son of William W. and Mary Mabel Smith, of Kinkora, Prince Edward Island.

Commemorated on Page 446 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance. Request a copy of this page. Download high resolution copy of this page.

Burial Information

Cemetery:

GROESBEEK CANADIAN WAR CEMETERY
Netherlands

Grave Reference:

XI. D. 6.

Location:

Groesbeek is located 10 km south east of the town of Nijmegen and close to the German frontier. The Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery is 3 km north of the village and 1500 metres east of the main road to Nijmegen. On leaving the A73 motorway at the junction Overasselt Mook Groesbeek follow directions to Mook. Follow direction signs towards Mook War cemetery. After passing Mook War cemetery continue to the village of Groesbeek to a set of traffic lights. Turn left at the lights onto Dorpstraat passing through Groesbeek. The road name then changes to Molenweg. A Commonwealth War Graves Commission direction sign indicates the right hand turning from Molenweg onto the Zeven Heuvelenweg. The Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery is located on the right hand side, about 1 km after entering this road. On the Memorial in the Canadian War Cemetery at Groesbeek are inscribed the following words:
Pro amicis mortui amicis vivimus, We live in the hearts of friends for whom we died.

Information courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Digital Collection

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  • Photo of George Preston Smith

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    Photo of George Preston Smith
    Photo of George Preston Smith
  • Photo of George Preston Smith

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    Photo of George Preston Smith
    Photo of George Preston Smith
  • Group Photo

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    Group Photo
    Group Photo
  • Grave Marker– Preston died in a bizarre accident Nov 12, 1944 as the Regiment moved from Ghent towards Nijmegen. He was batman for Major D. L. Corbett. 'On the way to Nijmegen', said Lt. Bob Albert, "I was riding in the front of a ¾ -ton truck, and the company commander's batman, a very nice young chap by the name of Smith, was riding in the back of the truck on top of a pile of blankets. We made a stop after a long run and I was just getting out to stretch my legs when I heard a shot fired at the back of the truck. I ran to the rear just in time to see poor "Smitty" drop to the ground. He had jumped out of the truck, pulling his Stem gun behind him and the cocking piece had caught on one of the ropes tied around the blankets. He must have given a hard pull and the cocking piece was pulled far enough back to make it come forward when released and fire a round. The round went through the heart and "Smitty" never knew what hit him (sic) (The North Shore (New Brunswick) Regiment by Will R. Bird, p 479, 480).

    Details

    Grave Marker
    Grave Marker – Preston died in a bizarre accident Nov 12, 1944 as the Regiment moved from Ghent towards Nijmegen. He was batman for Major D. L. Corbett. 'On the way to Nijmegen', said Lt. Bob Albert, "I was riding in the front of a ¾ -ton truck, and the company commander's batman, a very nice young chap by the name of Smith, was riding in the back of the truck on top of a pile of blankets. We made a stop after a long run and I was just getting out to stretch my legs when I heard a shot fired at the back of the truck. I ran to the rear just in time to see poor "Smitty" drop to the ground. He had jumped out of the truck, pulling his Stem gun behind him and the cocking piece had caught on one of the ropes tied around the blankets. He must have given a hard pull and the cocking piece was pulled far enough back to make it come forward when released and fire a round. The round went through the heart and "Smitty" never knew what hit him (sic) (The North Shore (New Brunswick) Regiment by Will R. Bird, p 479, 480).
  • Grave marker– Jennifer Murray is seen paying respects to her uncle during the 70th Anniversary of The Liberation of the Netherlands.

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    Grave marker
    Grave marker – Jennifer Murray is seen paying respects to her uncle during the 70th Anniversary of The Liberation of the Netherlands.
  • Photo of George Preston Smith

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    Photo of George Preston Smith
    Photo of George Preston Smith
  • Newspaper Clipping– From the Charlottetown PEI newspaper The Guardian. Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me

    Details

    Newspaper Clipping
    Newspaper Clipping – From the Charlottetown PEI newspaper The Guardian. Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me

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