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Frederick Hayzen Smith

Date of Birth: 31st December 1918

As a Royal Naval Volunteer Reservist was called for war duty in July 1939 aboard HMS Despatch. Took part in the Royal Naval Review in Weymouth Bay in 1939.

After the outbreak of war was based in Bermuda providing protection for the North Atlantic convoys bringing supplies to the United Kingdom. Whilst engaged on these duties helped prize crew capture two German ships,Frederick and Hanover, each prize crew receiving £500 prize money. Also made a short trip to the Galapagos Islands during this time.

In June 1941 came on home on Norwegian ship Solway but torpedoed off Cape Farewell, Greenland. Disobeying naval convoy rules Traveller, a merchant ship in the convoy, turned back and saved 48 members of the Solway crew. The following night a tanker in the convoy was torpedoed and sank immediately.

The return home for training for commission:
Two week preparatory course at Lancing College
Four weeks at HMS King Alfred, Brighton
Two weeks at Royal Naval College, Greenwich, Naval Navigation Course

October 1941 Commissioned

Late 1941 Stationed Southend. Naval Control of East Coast Shipping — travelling on East Coast Convoys

November 1942 Joined HMS Buster on anti submarine duties protecting convoys Liverpool to Belfast
November 1943 With HMS Buster on anti submarine duties West Africa based Freetown operating between Gibraltar and Pont Noir — followed by a short time in HMS Birdlip

March 1944 Returned to United Kingdom in Queen of Bermuda

June 1944 Married Eunice Hayward who had arrived earlier in the year having travelled by ship in convoy from Bermuda

June 1944 Based at Gourock as Boarding Officer — passing war information to convoys

Late 1944 Boarding Office Grimsby

Early 1946 Demobbed

Medals: 1939 / 1945 War Star
Atlantic Star
African Star
Defence Medal
Victory Medal
Queen’s Medal

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