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Smart, J. James (Smarty) (Added at the bottom of the 4th Tablet)

Allan James Squires and John James Smart’s names were added to the bottom of the 4th Tablet of the WW2 War Memorial, they were not killed in the war but they were British Servicemen and their names were added at some time after their deaths and should be remembered.

Because their deaths are so recent, I am not looking into their family history, just adding to their pages what was published at that time, with thanks to the authors.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/74008872/john-james-smart

Senior Aircraftman

No 2 (Mechanical Transport) Squadron

No 85 (Expeditionary Logistics) Wing

Royal Air Force

SAC James Smart, a military truck driver based at RAF Wittering, was killed in a road accident near Vasto, in southern Italy. He was part of a 10-vehicle convoy delivering vital equipment to UK Forces at Gioia del Colle airbase in support of Operation Ellamy. He was serving with the UK contingent of NATO-led forces involved in the UN-sanctioned military intervention in Libya.

Aged 22, he was born in Chester and lived in Hawarden, Deeside, Wales. SAC Smart was a member of the Territorial Army (reserves) before joining the RAF in 2008. After his Phase 1 airman training, he completed his Phase 2 driver trade training and undertook numerous tasks around the UK and in Europe. In 2010, deployed to Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, as an MT driver and effortlessly assumed the acting rank of corporal in the busy section. On his return from Afghanistan, he was quick to volunteer to deploy to Mount Pleasant Airfield in the Falkland Islands between October 2010 and January 2011. Since March, he had been heavily involved with the Libya support operation, first in France then in Italy. Known as “Smarty” he was a popular, well-respected and dedicated team-player. A bubbly character, he was always smiling and could brighten up any room he walked into.

SAC Smart’s family said, “James was a small man with a big heart, no one could have had a better son. He was a much loved brother, uncle and friend. He brought joy and happiness to everyone who met him. He was proud to serve his country and died doing something he loved. He will be sadly missed by all his family and friends, and he has left a big hole in all of our lives. Good night God Bless, James.” He leaves behind his mother Carol Green, father John Smart, sisters Shelley, Amanda, Jennifer and Nieve, brother Dominic and other relatives.

Funeral with full military honours was held on August 5, 2011 at St Deiniol’s Parish Church, Hawarden.

*Thanks to Richard Minshull for the photos below.

 

Please click on the links to find out why James was in Italy: –

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Ellamy

Operation Ellamy

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: –

https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.7249/j.ctt16f8d7x.12?seq=1#metadata_info_tab_contents

The British Experience:Operation Ellamy

and

https://www.e-ir.info/2011/04/01/the-strategy-behind-operation-ellamy/

The Strategy Behind Operation Ellamy

James’s was very much missed and loved, and the family made sure he would be remembered for perpetuity by having his name added to the memorial.

FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS, GOOD NIGHT, GOD BLESS.

 


Learn more about the other soldiers on the Hawarden Memorial

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