- SURNAME
Smalley
- FORENAME
Christopher John
- UNIT
5 Commando
- RANK
Lieutenant
- NUMBER
92876
- AWARD
Mention in Despatches (posthumous)
- PLACE
St Nazaire 1942
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
parent unit Manchester Regiment
London Gazette 37162, 3rd July 1945, Page 3493
died 1942 - see Roll of Honour
ROLL OF HONOUR:
https://www.specialforcesroh.com/index.php?threads/smalley-christopher-john.1293/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/D7369827https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37162/supplement/3493/
FINDAGRAVE:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56077746/christopher-john-smalleyNATIONAL ARCHIVES:
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7369827
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