George Henry Smith

Skipper George Henry Smith was an experienced sailor, having first taken to the seas aged 15 years old. He died in Belfast, Co. Antrim on 4th January 1944.

Skipper

George Henry Smith

George Henry Smith from Hull, Yorkshire left a wife and six children when he died suddenly in Northern Ireland during the Second World War.

Skipper George Henry Smith served with the Royal Naval Reserve during World War Two. He was born in England and had a wife and six young children at 76 Plane Street, Hull, Yorkshire. The youngest would never meet her father.

Smith died on 4th January 1944 aged 39 years old. At the time of his death, he was Skipper on board the HMT (Hired Military Transport) Commander Holbrook. The ship was in use by the Royal Navy as a minesweeper.

HMT Commander Holbrook

Imperial War Museum Photo: IWM (FL 8315) (Part of the Ministry of Defence Foxhill Collection of Ship Photographs). Wartime photo of HMT (Hired Military Transport) Commander Holbrook under way in the River Humber. Copyright Royal Navy Official Photographer.

Smith died suddenly in a hospital in Belfast, Co. Antrim. The experienced sailor had first been to sea at 15 years old, sailing for Ross, Hellyers, and other fishing vessel owners. He was well-known around his hometown, particularly in the fishing industry.

George Henry Smith’s grave is in Glenalina Extension, Section D, Grave 27 of Belfast City Cemetery, Belfast, Co. Antrim.

References
  1. Ancestry
  2. Find A Grave
  3. Commonwealth War Graves

Belfast City Cemetery HMT Commander Holbrook