Ralph Clement Smith

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Commander (retired) Ralph Clement Smith, D.S.C., (29 July, 1886 – ) served in the Royal Navy.

Life & Career

Born in Birmingham, Warwickshire, Smith entered service as a Petty Officer.

He was confirmed in the rank of Acting Mate on 7 July 1913. In August 1914 he was appointed to the battleship Queen. On 9 February 1915 he was appointed to T.B. 18, in which he served until 7 August 1916, being promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 7 July, 1916.[1]

He served in Brisk from 8 October 1916 to 13 November, 1917 and in Vega (which was in the final stages of completion for service) from 24 November to 20 December, 1917. Smith would be awarded a D.S.C. for service in destroyers in the period ending on 31 December, 1917. An evaluation from Captain Sparks in November 1917 was especially fulsome.[2]

Smith served in Paladin from 21 December 1917 to 22 October, 1918. After a single week in temporary command of an illegible ship of the Seventh Destroyer Flotilla (likely Star or Stour), Smith was appointed in command of the first-class torpedo boat T.B. 8 on 15 November, 1918.[3]

He was appointed in command of the first-class torpedo boat T.B. 28 on 8 December, 1919.[4]

Smith was placed on the Retired List at his own request on 18 June, 1922 and was subsequently promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander on 7 July, 1924 and to the rank of Commander on 29 July, 1926.[5]

See Also

Naval Appointments
Preceded by
James Figgins
Captain of H.M. T.B. 8
15 Nov, 1918[6] – 8 Dec, 1919
Succeeded by
?
Preceded by
Thomas Burton
Captain of H.M. T.B. 28
8 Dec, 1919[7] – 4 Jun, 1920
Succeeded by
?

Footnotes

  1. Smith Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/154/19. f. 19.
  2. Smith Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/154/19. f. 19.
  3. Smith Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/154/19. f. 19.
  4. Smith Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/154/19. f. 19.
  5. Smith Service Record. The National Archives. ADM 196/154/19. f. 19.
  6. The Navy List. (December, 1918). p. 955.
  7. The Navy List. (March, 1920). p. 955-8.