In Memory Of

MASTERTON-SMITH, HERBERT PHILIP

Service Details
Age:
 30
Date of Birth:
 1911-07-21
Service No:
 4568
Rank:
 Private
Unit:
 1st
Regiment:
 Royal Natal Carbineers, S.A. Forces
Date of Death:
 1942-06-05
Cause of Death:
 Killed in action, at Point 204. This little-known clash occurred in the Alem Hamza area of the Gazala Line. The single company involved suffered heavy casualties in a clash with Italian troops, six were killed.
Commemoration
Grave Reference:
 Column 119.
Cemetery:
 ALAMEIN MEMORIAL
Country:
 Egypt
Additional Information
Son of Mr. Harry Masterton-Smith, of Alexandra Terrace, Harfield Road, Claremont, Cape Province. Born in Bergville, Natal. An advertising copywriter. Phil Masterton-Smith, nicknamed "Unogwaja" meaning hare in Zulu (as in the animal) became the youngest ever Comrades Marathon winner, aged 19 in 1931 when he defeated Noel Buree in a close finish to the line. In 1933 he couldn't afford the train fare from Cape Town to Pietermaritzburg. Instead of giving up and not running that year, he cycled the distance (around 1,700km). He made it and finished 10th in the Comrades. In 2011, 4 men set out to emulate his feat of 1933; the Unogwaja Challenge was born.