Frank Smith of the Leen
D Day 80 - Frank Smith - The Leen
Frank was born at The Leen in 1919, the youngest of four sons of William and Florence Smith who had just bought the farm that year. He grew up on the farm while following his brothers to Bromsgrove School where he excelled at all sports, especially rugby. He was a keen member of the school cadets, which would stand him in good stead later.
After just a year back at the farm, the clouds of war were forming and he signed up in 1939. He joined the Herefordshire regiment, trained as an officer, and was assigned to the Royal Artillery. While stationed in Northern Ireland he was to meet his future wife Bell, a nursing sister. They were married before he was posted to France shortly after D-day.
Operation Market Garden
He was involved in much fighting across France and Belgium until September 1944, when he was awarded the Military Cross for his actions in the town of Reusel, Holland.
As a Captain in the 65th Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery, he was attached to the 6th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers (Commanded by a fellow Pembridge resident Lt Col. Robert Snead Cox of Broxwood Court), to help coordinate artillery fire on Reusel. This was part of Operation Market Garden - the failed attempt to capture strategically important bridges in Holland - immortalised in the film “A Bridge Too Far”.
Reusel was heavily defended by the Germans and Franks, acting as Forward Observation Officer for the Fusiliers directed fire. The company pushed on into the village coming under intense fire from mortars, grenades, rifle fire and bazookas. Unfortunately, the company and platoon commanders were lost but Frank continued to send information back as well as direct operations.
His citation for an MC was signed by Field Marshall Montgomery himself.
Frank finished his war service by training as a pilot, ready to be sent out to the Far East to spot for the artillery against the Japanese. Fortunately, the war ended before he could be sent.
Farming Life
Back at The Leen in 1946 Frank took to farming and Herefordshire life with Bell and twin daughters. His father had had a tough time during the 1930’s. With none of his elder sons wanting to farm he had sold the farm but retained the tenancy (in case his youngest son got back from the war). The farm still retained the world-famous Pedigree Hereford Cattle and was an excellent mixed farm with a flock of sheep and growing potatoes, sugar beet, wheat, barley, and oats. It was well-equipped and had excellent staff - so Frank and Bell dropped neatly into Herefordshire life and soon there was a third daughter on the way.
He resolved to farm and devote his life to public service - for farming and for Pembridge. Frank was to be elected as an Alderman of Herefordshire in 1950. He took a particular interest in the County Council small holdings and helped very many young farmers get on the farming ladder. He remained at this until 1968.
His great love was Hereford Cattle, he was a life member of the Hereford Breed Society and was to become President, judging Herefords throughout the country and indeed the world.
He was 50 years representing Herefordshire at the Three Counties Show as Director of the Show yard. Overseeing the change from a movable show to its permanent site at Malvern. The Royal Family were regular visitors:
Frank at the Three Counties Show with Princess Anne
Frank with HM Queen Elizabeth II at the Royal Show
He was especially delighted to welcome Princess Margaret to The Leen in 1980 to help celebrate 200 years since the formation of the Leen Hereford herd in 1780.
Frank was Steward of Herefords at the Royal Show for many years as well as Steward and Chair of the Kington Show, a JP of Kington Magistrates for 35 years – being well known to both the police and the underworld of Kington, nearer home, Member and Chairman of Pembridge Parish Council, and Church Warden – both for 50 years. The picture below was presented to him in recognition of his service…
He was also a Pembridge Royal British Legion Member and Chair for 50 years, Chairman of Pembridge Charities, School Governor, and member of the Parochial Church Council.
All the while he was running the farm and bringing up a family. Ask a busy man!!!!
50-odd years ago he became my father-in-law, and I became a partner on the farm. A wonderful, generous, fun man to know and work with, with huge humour, and an ability to make things happen.
He passed away in 2008 - much missed by all his family, Pembridge, Herefordshire, and the farming world.
Tony Norman
