The Association has learned of the death of Lt Cdr Donald Cox Smith RN on 27 April 2016. He leaves a widow, Helena.
From References
1969 Director General Naval Manpower
1967 -68 Director of Naval Warfare
1966 CO 820 Squadron
1965 CO 820 Squadron
1964 HMS DAEDALUS
1963 HMS OSPREY
1962 As above
1961 HMS PRESIDENT
1960 HMS ALBION
1959 HMS SEFTON
1958 HMS DEFIANCE
1957 HMS VERNON
1956 HMS VERNON
1955 HMS DAEDALUS
1954 826 Squadron
1953 No ship or establishment shown
1952 ditto
1951 HMS EURUALUS
1950 No ship or establishment shown
1949 HMS ILLUSTRIOUS
1948
1947 No ship or establishment shown
Whilst flying Whirlwind XG584 of 815 Squadron on 20 July 1959, the engine cut, restarted then cut again, ditched in Portland Harbour (Lt DJH Weyman, Lt D C Smith & S/L JC McCormick rescued by civilian boat).
Taken from the Dorset Echo:
THE LATE DON SMITH A celebration of the life of Don Smith, who died on 27th April, 2016, will take place on 1st July, 2016. We look forward to welcoming all his friends at Dorchester Town Hall (first floor of the Corn Exchange) at 3:30pm for 4.00pm.
From Mike Harvey:
Sept 1943 Joined Dartmouth as naval cadet. At this time Dartmouth was equivalent to public school and cadets completed their academic education at Dartmouth.
Sept 1947. Promoted to Midshipman and continued with training for a General List officer.
1949. Joined Illustrious as Midshipman for naval training. Promoted to Sub Lieutenant. Continued with naval training
1951-52 Join HMS Euryalus for naval training and experience. Promoted Lieutenant 1st August 1951
1953. Started Observer training at St Merryn. Don was the fourth GL officer to qualify as an Observer.
1954. Completed O training. Joined 826 Squadron with Firefly 5s at Lee on Solent.
1955. Continued as an Observer in 826 Sqn.
1956-57 Joined HMS Vernon for Long TAS course.
1958. Joined HMS Sefton as 1st Lieutenant in leader of minesweeping squadron
1959. 1 August 1959 promoted Lieutenant Commander. Joined 815 Squadron as Senior Observer. Probably flying Whirlwind 7s
1960-61. Continued in 815 from HMS Albion.
1962-63. Served in HMS Osprey and HMS Daedalus. Appointment unknown but most likely as Senior Instructor of the ASW training school.
1964-66. Joined HMS Seahawk as CO 820 Squadron on 2 September 1964. Worked up Squadron equipped with Wessex 1s for HMS Eagle from December 1964 for service in the Far East.
1966. Joined MOD DNAW staff.
1969. Moved to DGNM. Most probably after being passed over as Lt CDR and applied for early retirement to enable him to train in the legal profession. This he successfully completed and qualified on leaving the service.