- SURNAME
Smalley
- FORENAME
Christopher John
- UNIT
5 Commando
- RANK
Lieutenant
- NUMBER
92876
- DATE OF DEATH
28th March 1942
- AGE
31
- GRAVESITE
Brookwood Memorial, Surrey Panel 13 Column 2
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
parent unit Manchester Regiment
born Cheshire
resided Derbyshire
son of Edgar and Lillian Smalley
husband of Joan Smalley, Long Buckby, Northamptonshire
award Mention in Despatches
KIA St Nazaire
London Gazette 37162, 3rd July 1945, Page 3493
DATE OF DEATH:
28-Mar-1942AWARD:
https://www.specialforcesroh.com/index.php?threads/smalley-christopher-john.28616/CITATION:
Mention in Despatches : On 28 March, 1942, during the Commando Raid at ST. NAZAIRE, Lieut. Smalley commanded a demolition party whose task it was to destroy the Dry Dock Installations.
Disembarking from HMS CAMPBELLTOWN he led his men, under intense fire to their task, and although, the whole time under very heavy enemy pressure, he completed his task, totally destroying the Dock Installations.
Again, under heavy enemy fire he brought his men back the re-embarkation point and re-embarked in a small Motor Launch. Finding the crew of the forward Gerlikon Gun in the ML out of action, he himself, showing total disregard for his own personal safety, manned the gun and proceeded to bring devastating fire to bear on the enemy. The ML, trying to withdraw down the River Loire, was under constant fire from enemy shore guns, and Lieut. Smalley kept up a continuous answer from his Gerlikon. A direct hit from a shore battery brought this very gallant action to an end.
Lieut. Smalley gave his life that other might be saved, so setting a perfect example of devotion to duty.
Disembarking from HMS CAMPBELLTOWN he led his men, under intense fire to their task, and although, the whole time under very heavy enemy pressure, he completed his task, totally destroying the Dock Installations.
Again, under heavy enemy fire he brought his men back the re-embarkation point and re-embarked in a small Motor Launch. Finding the crew of the forward Gerlikon Gun in the ML out of action, he himself, showing total disregard for his own personal safety, manned the gun and proceeded to bring devastating fire to bear on the enemy. The ML, trying to withdraw down the River Loire, was under constant fire from enemy shore guns, and Lieut. Smalley kept up a continuous answer from his Gerlikon. A direct hit from a shore battery brought this very gallant action to an end.
Lieut. Smalley gave his life that other might be saved, so setting a perfect example of devotion to duty.
WEB LINKS:
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7369827FINDAGRAVE:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56077746/christopher-john-smalley
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