PO R S Smith
 

Name: SMITH, RICHARD STANLEY Nationality: United Kingdom Rank: Canteen Manager Regiment/Service: Royal Naval Canteen Service Unit Text: H.M.S. Bramble. Age: 20 Date of Death: 31/12/1942 Service No: C/NX 511 Additional information: Son of George Henry and Florence May Smith, of Meole Brace, Shrewsbury, Shropshire. Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: 66, 3. Memorial: CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL Source: Commonwealth War Graves Commission

 

Richard Stanley Smith  (‘Richie’) Richard was canteen manager on H. M. S. Bramble.  Although I was never to meet him, as I was born after he died, he was my uncle - the older brother of my father Cecil, who also served in the Royal Navy.  Richard (affectionately known as ‘Richie’) was born in January 1922, in Meole Brace, a small village near the town of Shrewsbury in Shropshire. He was the fourth son of Florence May Smith and George Henry Smith. His father, George, was a florist and market gardener. He had six brothers (George, Frederick, Sidney, Cecil, Leonard and William) and one sister (Florence).  Richard went to the local village school and subsequently joined the staff of a prominent Shrewsbury grocer before volunteering for the Navy in July 1941.  He joined H.M.S. Bramble on promotion to Petty Officer.  During the war, every eligible member of the family joined the forces: George was in the Durham Light Infantry in the Middle East, Frederick was in the Royal Artillery, Florence joined the WAAF, Sidney served in the RAF and Cecil joined the Navy and took part in the North African landing.  Richard had a vibrant personality; always full of fun and keen to play jokes on other people. Whenever he came home on leave, he enjoyed many an evening at the local pub with his brother Cecil.   Prior to joining his ship, for what was to prove it’s final voyage, Richard came home on leave. As she knew that he would be away at sea on his 21st birthday, in January 1943, my grandmother gave him his birthday present, a gold signet ring. Sadly, he was not to celebrate his birthday as H.M.S Bramble went down on 31 December 1942, the same day as his father’s birthday.   ‘Richie’ was never forgotten by the family and will be remembered with great affection always.  Julia Aston (nee Smith)   December 2006 I have a couple of photos of my uncle Richard Smith (Uncle Richie) - shown below. There is one of Richard on his own, in uniform , one of him and his mother, presumably just before he went to sea (maybe for the last time?), another of Richard and my father who served in the Royal Navy on board H M S Argus, an aircraft carrier and finally  a copy of a local newspaper article which lists all the 'Smith' family who took part in one service or another.  I hope one of these may prove useful to you. My Aunt Florence (Richard's sister) has now received the Arctic Emblem which I sent for although it is a very small recognition of the great sacrifice all those men made 64 years ago this week!  We shall remember them.