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Gregory-Smith, William Frank Niemann

Date of birth:
January 24th, 1910 (Ashton-under-Lyne, United Kingdom)
Date of death:
May 4th, 2009
Nationality:
British (1801-present, Kingdom)

Biography

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Lieutenant Commander
Unit:
H.M.S. Eridge (L68), Royal Navy
Awarded on:
November 21st, 1941
"For courage and resolution in operations in Mediterranean waters"
--
"Gregory-Smith was ordered to protect the damaged destroyer Firedrake. This ship arrived safely at Gibralter after a dangerous journey of 36 hours under constant threat."
Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Lieutenant Commander
Unit:
H.M.S. Eridge (L68), Royal Navy
Awarded on:
September 8th, 1942
Awarded for:
Operation Substance
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
"'For gallantry, skill and seamanship in H.M. Ships Avon Vale, Beaufort, Breconshire, Garlisle, Cleopatra, Dido, Dulverton, Eridge, Euryalus, Havock, Hero, Hurworth, Jervis, Kelvin, Kingston, Kipling, Legion,Lively, Penelope, Sikh, Southwold and Zulu in a brilliant action against strong enemy forces, which were driven off and severely damaged. This action resulted in the safe passage to Malta of an important Convoy."
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Lieutenant Commander
Unit:
H.M.S. Eridge (L68), Royal Navy
Awarded on:
September 29th, 1942
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
"For skill and resource in action against enemy Submarines in H.M. Ships Eridge, Hero and Hurworth."

Second DSO received as bar
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Lieutenant Commander
Unit:
H.M.S. Janus (F53), Royal Navy
Awarded on:
January 19th, 1943
Mentioned in Dispatches
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Lieutenant Commander
Unit:
Royal Navy
Awarded on:
November 14th, 1944
Awarded for:
Operation Neptune
"For gallantry, skill, determination and undaunted devotion to duty during the landing of Allied Forces on the coast of Normandy."
--
"Gregory-Smith helped to plan the landings on Gold Beach in Normandy before acting as principal beachmaster in the assault phase of D-Day, with the task of ensuring that the constant stream of men and materials landing did not turn into a vast traffic jam."

Second DSC received as bar.
Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)

Sources

Photo