King presented awards to two heroic Burton airmen
Historian Malcolm Goode looks at events from May 1942 which saw local soldiers receive awards from the King of England
IN March 1942, HMS Trinidad was escorting Artic Convoy PQ13 when she engaged German destroyers who were trying to sink cargo ships.
Trinidad fired torpedoes at the destroyers – one of which had a faulty giro system causing the torpedo to travel in a circular arc.
The torpedo returned to where it had been fired from, striking Trinidad and killing 32 men.
The damaged ship managed to reach Murmansk for repairs under her own steam, while constantly being attacked by enemy U-boats and aircraft.
On May 13, Trinidad set out to return home with reduced speed and a destroyer escort.
On May 14 she was attacked by more than twenty Ju 88 Bombers – all attacks missed except for one bomb that struck near the previous damage, killing 63 men.
The ship was so severely damaged that the decision was taken to remove all the surviving crew members, and then HMS Matchless was ordered to sink the Trinidad with torpedoes in the mid-atlantic.
KING DECORATES BURTON AIRMEN
Sergeant Frederick Smith, son of Mr & Mrs Frank Smith of “Westleigh,” Derby Road, Stretton, received at the hands of the king during an investiture, the Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM).
He was accompanied at Buckingham Palace by his parents.
The official announcement stated: “This airman has carried out 40 sorties as a front gunner and 32 sorties as a wireless operator and has shown the most determined spirit.
“He has taken part in attacks on Boulogne, St. Nazaire, Cherbourg, Le Havre, Kiel, Bremen and Hamburg.”
The announcement went on to say: “Sergeant Smith’s skills and initiative have largely contributed to the success of many sorties.”
Before enlisting in 1939 he was a rubber manufacturing student and had been a pupil at the Burton Boys Grammar School in Lichfield Street, Burton.
Flight Sergeant S. T. Geary, of 14, Paget Street, Burton, has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal “for gallantry and devotion to duty”.
The official announcement stated: “The King has been pleased to approve the following award in recognition of gallantry and devotion to duty in the execution of air operations to Flight Sergeant Stephen Tebbett Geary R.A.F.V.R., No. 148 Squadron.
“This airman has participated in over 90 raids on targets in Libya, Syria, Albania and Greece, over 70 of these raids being in daylight.
“His technical knowledge of aircraft has, on several occasions, contributed materially to the safe return of his aircraft.
“In spite of him being involved in a serious accident, in which other members of the crew were seriously injured, Flight Sergeant
Geary’s keenness for operational flying remains unabated. He has always shown great courage.”
Sergeant Geary was born in 1920 in Burton. Before enlisting he was employed on the clerical staff at Marston, Thompson and Evershed Ltd.
Stephen had done very well in athletics at the Burton Grammar School were he obtained the school certificate, which helped him greatly when he entered his flying career with the R.A.F.
ROLL OF HONOUR
BROWN, CYRIL: Stoker 1st Class. H.M. Submarine Urge. Killed in action on 6th May 1942 age 28. Son of Rufus and Hilda Brown.
The U Class submarine disappeared in 1942 after being ordered with other vessels to sail from Malta to Egypt, with the loss of all 32 crew and 11 Royal Navy passengers and a journalist
It is thought that Urge hit a sea mine laid by the German airforce as part of their siege of Malta. BROADHURST, ALFRED: Lance Bombardier, 1778056, 4 H.A.A. Regt, died on 25th May 1942 age 37. Son of Walter and Eliza Broadhurst of Broadway Street, Burton. BROTHERHOOD, NEVILLE JOHN: Trooper, 49th (West Riding) Regiment Recconaissance Corps RAC, died on 25th May 1942 aged 26. Son of Mr & Mrs Brotherhood of Church Gresley, husband of E.E. Brotherhood of Church Gresley. PAYNE, ARCHIBALD RONALD: Royal Marine, HMS Trinidad k.i.a. on 14th May 1942 age 23. Son of Mr. & Mrs. Payne, 48 Manor Road, Stanton.
Archie had been in the Royal Marines since he was 17 years of age. Before that he was employed by Ensor & Co of Woodville.