William Thomas Smith (Bill)'s Service

My father William Thomas Smith (Bill) who was also known as 'Willtalk' as he enjoyed conversing with people, was born on 10th January 1907.

Before the war he worked at an insurance company and following the start of the conflict I was evacuated aged two years old to Rushden in Northamptonshire at the start of the war.

Following the start of World War II he served in the Royal Navy from 6th January 1942 until 25th December 1945 in numerous ships starting with HMS Royal Arthur and finishing in the Pembroke (exact dates and ships are in his service record).

On enlistment he was described as 5.10.7/8 " tall, brown hair, brown eyes with a ruddy complexion and a scar on the back of his right knee.

He was a coder and his service number was C/JX 341059. He saw action on the dangerous Arctic Convoys and later in the Mediterranean North Africa, based at Malta.

In July 1942 Bill met Her Majesty The Queen at the Services Club in Kensington and was also a member of Walthamstow Conservative Club.
Following the war he was awarded the 1939-45 Star, Atlantic Star, Arctic Star, Africa Star, Italy Star and War Medal 1939-45.

After the war Bill became a door-to-door salesman selling pots and pans and at night a Telephone Operator on 'Trunks'. He later worked for the MoD at Northumberland Avenue in London.