Charlie Smartt

Debut game
v RAPC Woodhouse (a) 14th February 1942

Final game for Gresley Rovers first team
v Quorn Methodists (h) 25th April 1942

Charles William Smartt was born in Woodville and was the son of Harry & Mary Smartt (nee Stretton). He grew up in Woodville and began work at T.G.Green's in 1938 (along with most of the family!). He played Youth football for a few clubs in the area in the early part of the war and was called up to the Gresley First Team at the age of 17 - presumably because of lack of older players due to service in the Forces.

Charlie was called up for Army service the week after the Quorn game (now 18) joining the 5th Sherwood Foresters and after training, was promptly sent out to North Africa.
He served there for 18 months before being part of the 8th Army landings in Italy.
During 1944, he and his Regiment advanced northwards - coming up against the German 'Gothic Line'. In early September, the 5th Sherwood's (with many men from South Derbyshire), secured the ridge at Monte Vecchio, with heavy losses. Charlie was among the casualties. He was evacuated, seriously wounded, to a Medical Unit at nearby Rimini - but died of his wounds on 18th September, aged 20. My Dad (his Cousin), was with him at the time - he had also served with the Eighth Army and had met Charlie (for the first time in 10 years !) just a few weeks before the Monte Vecchio attack.
(notes thanks to Neil Stretton)

During the War years 1939-1945 records are not reliable as many games and players were not published in the local press.
Also, players were called up and played as and when they were available.
These figures are based on the most reliable available.