Conolly Abel Smith
Encyclopedia
Sir Edward Michael Conolly Abel Smith CB
GCVO JP (3 December 1899–3 December 1985) was a Vice Admiral
in the British Royal Navy
who served during World War I
and World War II
.
, and Aileen Geta Katherine Conolly, the daughter of Colonel John Augustus Conolly
, VC
. He entered the Royal Naval College, Osborne
in September 1912, at the age of 13, continuing his training at Royal Naval College, Dartmouth
. From 1915 he served aboard the battlecruiser , receiving promotion to sub-lieutenant
on 15 May 1918, and to lieutenant
on 15 May 1920.
On 16 June 1924 Abel Smith was attached to the Royal Air Force
, who were in control of all naval aviation at that time, with the rank of flying officer
, to attend No. 1 Flying Training School at Netheravon
, Wiltshire. From 23 October 1925 he was stationed at HMS Columbine, the naval base at Port Edgar
in the Firth of Forth
, then from 3 April 1926 served as the Flight Commander of No. 403 Flight FAA
aboard the carrier on the China Station
, receiving promotion to flight lieutenant
on 1 January 1928 and to lieutenant-commander
on 15 May 1928. From 3 March 1929 he served aboard the heavy cruiser
, and from 20 March 1930 on the carrier in the Mediterranean Fleet
, firstly as the Flight Commander of No. 408 Flight
, then as Squadron Commander of Fighter Squadron 802 FAA
. He was promoted to squadron leader
on 1 January 1933 and commander
on 30 June 1933.
From 14 May 1934 Abel Smith attended a tactical course at Portsmouth Naval Base
, and from 3 September 1934 served in the Naval Air Division of the Admiralty
in London. On 8 December 1936 he was appointed commanding officer of the cruiser in the Mediterranean, receiving promotion to wing commander
on 1 January 1937. From 2 January 1939 he was attached to the Admiralty, serving as Naval Equerry to King George VI
, and receiving promotion to captain
on 30 June 1940. From 5 July 1940 Abel Smith served as Commanding Officer of , the Royal Naval Air Station at Arbroath
. In January 1942 he was appointed Commanding Officer of the escort carrier , and received a Mention in Despatches for his efforts during the invasion of North Africa ("Operation Torch
"). He returned to shore duty in July 1943 to serve as commander of HMS Heron (RNAS Yeovilton). From 28 March 1944 he was the Assistant Naval Attaché (from 26 September 1944 the Naval Attaché) and the Naval Air Attaché at the British Embassy, Washington, D.C. until early 1946.
On 24 June 1946 Abel Smith was appointed flag captain
of the carrier , serving until May 1949. On 8 July 1949 he was promoted to rear admiral
. From 1950 to 1951 he served as Vice Controller (Air), Chief of Naval Air Equipment and Chief Naval Representative to the Ministry of Supply
. On 2 February 1953 he was appointed Flag Officer, Royal Yachts (FORY), serving as commanding officer of , and as the Flag Officer of Royal Navy, Commonwealth and foreign warships and RFAs
forming the Royal Squadron when the Queen or other members of the royal family were embarked, receiving promotion to vice admiral
on 1 September 1952.
Abel Smith retired on 14 February 1958 and was appointed Lord Lieutenant of Selkirkshire
on the 16th, serving until 1975. He also served as a Justice of the Peace, and as an Extra Naval Equerry to Queen Elizabeth II.
, at St Andrew's Church, Brechin
. They had one daughter (b. 1936) and one son (b. 1939).
Also:
Order of the Bath
The Most Honourable Order of the Bath is a British order of chivalry founded by George I on 18 May 1725. The name derives from the elaborate mediæval ceremony for creating a knight, which involved bathing as one of its elements. The knights so created were known as Knights of the Bath...
GCVO JP (3 December 1899–3 December 1985) was a Vice Admiral
Vice Admiral (Royal Navy)
Vice admiral is a flag officer rank of the British Royal Navy. It equates to the NATO rank code OF-8 and is immediately superior to rear admiral and is subordinate to the full admiral rank.The Royal Navy has had vice admirals since at least the 16th century...
in the British Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
who served during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
and World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Biography
Conolly Abel Smith (as he was usually known) was the second son of Eustace Abel Smith, JP, a banker of Longhills House, Branston, LincolnshireBranston, Lincolnshire
Branston is a large village in the North Kesteven district of Lincolnshire, England, approximately south-east of Lincoln.In the 2001 Census the population was recorded as 4019.-Geography:...
, and Aileen Geta Katherine Conolly, the daughter of Colonel John Augustus Conolly
John Augustus Conolly
Lieutenant Colonel John Augustus Conolly VC , born in Celbridge, County Kildare, Ireland, was an Irish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.-Details:He was 25 years old,...
, VC
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
. He entered the Royal Naval College, Osborne
Osborne House
Osborne House is a former royal residence in East Cowes, Isle of Wight, UK. The house was built between 1845 and 1851 for Queen Victoria and Prince Albert as a summer home and rural retreat....
in September 1912, at the age of 13, continuing his training at Royal Naval College, Dartmouth
Britannia Royal Naval College
Britannia Royal Naval College is the initial officer training establishment of the Royal Navy, located on a hill overlooking Dartmouth, Devon, England. While Royal Naval officer training has taken place in the town since 1863, the buildings which are seen today were only finished in 1905, and...
. From 1915 he served aboard the battlecruiser , receiving promotion to sub-lieutenant
Sub-Lieutenant
Sub-lieutenant is a military rank. It is normally a junior officer rank.In many navies, a sub-lieutenant is a naval commissioned or subordinate officer, ranking below a lieutenant. In the Royal Navy the rank of sub-lieutenant is equivalent to the rank of lieutenant in the British Army and of...
on 15 May 1918, and to lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
on 15 May 1920.
On 16 June 1924 Abel Smith was attached to the Royal Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
, who were in control of all naval aviation at that time, with the rank of flying officer
Flying Officer
Flying officer is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence...
, to attend No. 1 Flying Training School at Netheravon
Netheravon
Netheravon is a village and civil parish on the River Avon, about north of the town of Amesbury in Wiltshire.-Notable people:The writer Frank Sawyer , although born in Bulford, spent most of his life in Netheravon as river keeper River Avon and died on the banks of the river near the parish church...
, Wiltshire. From 23 October 1925 he was stationed at HMS Columbine, the naval base at Port Edgar
Port Edgar
Port Edgar is a marina situated on the south shore of the Firth of Forth immediately to the west of the southern end of the Forth Road Bridge in the town of South Queensferry, Scotland. In previous years it had been the site of HMS Lochinvar. In the inter war period Port Edgar was the a destroyer...
in the Firth of Forth
Firth of Forth
The Firth of Forth is the estuary or firth of Scotland's River Forth, where it flows into the North Sea, between Fife to the north, and West Lothian, the City of Edinburgh and East Lothian to the south...
, then from 3 April 1926 served as the Flight Commander of No. 403 Flight FAA
Fleet Air Arm
The Fleet Air Arm is the branch of the British Royal Navy responsible for the operation of naval aircraft. The Fleet Air Arm currently operates the AgustaWestland Merlin, Westland Sea King and Westland Lynx helicopters...
aboard the carrier on the China Station
China Station
The China Station was a historical formation of the British Royal Navy. It was formally the units and establishments responsible to the Commander-in-Chief, China....
, receiving promotion to flight lieutenant
Flight Lieutenant
Flight lieutenant is a junior commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many Commonwealth countries. It ranks above flying officer and immediately below squadron leader. The name of the rank is the complete phrase; it is never shortened to "lieutenant"...
on 1 January 1928 and to lieutenant-commander
Lieutenant Commander
Lieutenant Commander is a commissioned officer rank in many navies. The rank is superior to a lieutenant and subordinate to a commander...
on 15 May 1928. From 3 March 1929 he served aboard the heavy cruiser
Heavy cruiser
The heavy cruiser was a type of cruiser, a naval warship designed for long range, high speed and an armament of naval guns roughly 203mm calibre . The heavy cruiser can be seen as a lineage of ship design from 1915 until 1945, although the term 'heavy cruiser' only came into formal use in 1930...
, and from 20 March 1930 on the carrier in the Mediterranean Fleet
Mediterranean Fleet
Several countries have or have had a Mediterranean Fleet in their navy. See:* Mediterranean Fleet * French Mediterranean Fleet* Mediterranean Squadron * United States Sixth Fleet...
, firstly as the Flight Commander of No. 408 Flight
408 (Fleet Fighter) Flight
408 Flight was a naval aviation unit of the RAF operating during the early 1930s.-Disbandment:408 Flight was disbanded and merged with 409 Flight aboard HMS Glorious on 3 April 1933, both units becoming 802 Naval Air Squadron....
, then as Squadron Commander of Fighter Squadron 802 FAA
802 Naval Air Squadron
-Early history:802 Squadron was formed on 3 April 1933 aboard by the merger of two independent RAF naval units, 408 Flight and 409 Flight...
. He was promoted to squadron leader
Squadron Leader
Squadron Leader is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many countries which have historical British influence. It is also sometimes used as the English translation of an equivalent rank in countries which have a non-English air force-specific rank structure. In these...
on 1 January 1933 and commander
Commander
Commander is a naval rank which is also sometimes used as a military title depending on the individual customs of a given military service. Commander is also used as a rank or title in some organizations outside of the armed forces, particularly in police and law enforcement.-Commander as a naval...
on 30 June 1933.
From 14 May 1934 Abel Smith attended a tactical course at Portsmouth Naval Base
HMNB Portsmouth
Her Majesty's Naval Base Portsmouth is one of three operating bases in the United Kingdom for the British Royal Navy...
, and from 3 September 1934 served in the Naval Air Division of the Admiralty
Admiralty
The Admiralty was formerly the authority in the Kingdom of England, and later in the United Kingdom, responsible for the command of the Royal Navy...
in London. On 8 December 1936 he was appointed commanding officer of the cruiser in the Mediterranean, receiving promotion to wing commander
Wing Commander (rank)
Wing commander is a commissioned rank in the Royal Air Force and the air forces of many other Commonwealth countries...
on 1 January 1937. From 2 January 1939 he was attached to the Admiralty, serving as Naval Equerry to King George VI
George VI of the United Kingdom
George VI was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth from 11 December 1936 until his death...
, and receiving promotion to captain
Captain (Royal Navy)
Captain is a senior officer rank of the Royal Navy. It ranks above Commander and below Commodore and has a NATO ranking code of OF-5. The rank is equivalent to a Colonel in the British Army or Royal Marines and to a Group Captain in the Royal Air Force. The rank of Group Captain is based on the...
on 30 June 1940. From 5 July 1940 Abel Smith served as Commanding Officer of , the Royal Naval Air Station at Arbroath
Arbroath
Arbroath or Aberbrothock is a former royal burgh and the largest town in the council area of Angus in Scotland, and has a population of 22,785...
. In January 1942 he was appointed Commanding Officer of the escort carrier , and received a Mention in Despatches for his efforts during the invasion of North Africa ("Operation Torch
Operation Torch
Operation Torch was the British-American invasion of French North Africa in World War II during the North African Campaign, started on 8 November 1942....
"). He returned to shore duty in July 1943 to serve as commander of HMS Heron (RNAS Yeovilton). From 28 March 1944 he was the Assistant Naval Attaché (from 26 September 1944 the Naval Attaché) and the Naval Air Attaché at the British Embassy, Washington, D.C. until early 1946.
On 24 June 1946 Abel Smith was appointed flag captain
Flag captain
In the Royal Navy, a flag captain was the captain of an admiral's flagship. During the 18th and 19th centuries, this ship might also have a "captain of the fleet", who would be ranked between the admiral and the "flag captain" as the ship's "First Captain", with the "flag captain" as the ship's...
of the carrier , serving until May 1949. On 8 July 1949 he was promoted to rear admiral
Rear Admiral (Royal Navy)
Rear Admiral is a flag officer rank of the British Royal Navy. It is immediately superior to Commodore and is subordinate to Vice Admiral. It is a two-star rank and has a NATO ranking code of OF-7....
. From 1950 to 1951 he served as Vice Controller (Air), Chief of Naval Air Equipment and Chief Naval Representative to the Ministry of Supply
Ministry of Supply
The Ministry of Supply was a department of the UK Government formed in 1939 to co-ordinate the supply of equipment to all three British armed forces, headed by the Minister of Supply. There was, however, a separate ministry responsible for aircraft production and the Admiralty retained...
. On 2 February 1953 he was appointed Flag Officer, Royal Yachts (FORY), serving as commanding officer of , and as the Flag Officer of Royal Navy, Commonwealth and foreign warships and RFAs
Royal Fleet Auxiliary
The Royal Fleet Auxiliary is a civilian-manned fleet owned by the British Ministry of Defence. The RFA enables ships of the United Kingdom Royal Navy to maintain operations around the world. Its primary role is to supply the Royal Navy with fuel, ammunition and supplies, normally by replenishment...
forming the Royal Squadron when the Queen or other members of the royal family were embarked, receiving promotion to vice admiral
Vice Admiral (Royal Navy)
Vice admiral is a flag officer rank of the British Royal Navy. It equates to the NATO rank code OF-8 and is immediately superior to rear admiral and is subordinate to the full admiral rank.The Royal Navy has had vice admirals since at least the 16th century...
on 1 September 1952.
Abel Smith retired on 14 February 1958 and was appointed Lord Lieutenant of Selkirkshire
Lord Lieutenant of Selkirkshire
This is a list of people, who have served as Lord Lieutenant of Selkirkshire. The office was replaced by the Lord Lieutenant of Roxburgh, Ettrick and Lauderdale in 1975.* Charles Montagu-Scott, Earl of Dalkeith 17 March 1794 – 1797...
on the 16th, serving until 1975. He also served as a Justice of the Peace, and as an Extra Naval Equerry to Queen Elizabeth II.
Personal life
On 28 December 1932 Abel Smith married Lady Mary Elizabeth Carnegie, daughter of Charles Carnegie, 10th Earl of SoutheskCharles Carnegie, 10th Earl of Southesk
Sir Charles Noel Carnegie of Kinnaird and of Pitcarrow, 7th Baronet, 10th Earl of Southesk, 10th Baron Carnegie of Kinnaird, 10th Baron Carnegie, of Kinnaird and Leuchards, and 2nd Baron Balinhard, of Farnell in the County of Forfar was a Scottish nobleman.Amongst his various honours, he was an...
, at St Andrew's Church, Brechin
Brechin
Brechin is a former royal burgh in Angus, Scotland. Traditionally Brechin is often described as a city because of its cathedral and its status as the seat of a pre-Reformation Roman Catholic diocese , but that status has not been officially recognised in the modern era...
. They had one daughter (b. 1936) and one son (b. 1939).
Awards and honours
- Companion of the Order of the BathOrder of the BathThe Most Honourable Order of the Bath is a British order of chivalry founded by George I on 18 May 1725. The name derives from the elaborate mediæval ceremony for creating a knight, which involved bathing as one of its elements. The knights so created were known as Knights of the Bath...
(CB), 7 June 1951 - Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian OrderRoyal Victorian OrderThe Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood and a house order of chivalry recognising distinguished personal service to the order's Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, any members of her family, or any of her viceroys...
(GCVO), 1 January 1958 - Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (KCVO), 25 May 1954
- Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO), 13 June 1946
Also:
- Commander 1st class of the Order of the DannebrogOrder of the DannebrogThe Order of the Dannebrog is an Order of Denmark, instituted in 1671 by Christian V. It resulted from a move in 1660 to break the absolutism of the nobility. The Order was only to comprise 50 noble Knights in one class plus the Master of the Order, i.e. the Danish monarch, and his sons...
(Denmark), May 1957 - Grand Cross of the Military Order of AvizOrder of AvizThe Military Order of Aviz , previously to 1910 Royal Military Order of Aviz , previously to 1789 Order of Saint Benedict of Aviz , previously Knights of St. Benedict of Aviz or Friars of Santa Maria of Évora, is a Portuguese Order of Chivalry...
(Portugal), February 1957 - Grand Cross of the Order of St. Olav (Norway), June 1955