William Thomas Irving Smurthwaite was the son of William Edward and Sarah Anna (Jenner) Smurthwaite, of Paddington, London; husband of Edith Lily (Turner) Smurthwaite, married 20 May 1928 in Westminster, London. He enlisted in the Royal Army Service Corps and volunteered for Airborne Forces.

Driver Smurthwaite successfully completed parachute training at RAF Ringway and was posted to 398 (Airborne) Composite Company, Royal Army Service Corps, and took part in Operation Overlord (D Day landings).

Dvr Smurthwaite was killed in action on 6 June 1944, aged 40, and is commemorated on the Bayeux Memorial to the missing.

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