Ralph Morton Smith
- Born: 18 Dec 1922
- Marriage (1): Freda Power on 13 Apr 1944 in Cardiff, South Glamorganshire, Wales UK
General Notes:
Brian Smith notes:
My father, Ralph Smith, also wrote his autobiography and its text plus some images exist on my website at <https://briansmithonline.com/memoir/> . It's a fascinating story of a man who worked at the Admiralty in London and rose to quite a high level. It's also very readable (in my opinion but of course I'm biased!)
WITNESS TO A PASSING AGE
The Diary of a 20th Century Gentleman
by Ralph M. Smith OBE, 1922 - 2006
Ralph Smith was born in 1922 and lived through the rest of the 20th century.
I knew him as father to my sister and I, and husband to my mother, but he also led a professional life in the Admiralty and Ministry of Defence.
This is his life story, written by himself and I'm confident that you will enjoy reading it. It will also be of value to anyone interested in the 20th Century, containing as it does facts and information about life before, during and after the Second World War and also an insightful view of later 20th century politics.
Contents
This book:
"Witness to a Passing Age - the Story of a 20th Century Gentleman"
is the autobiography of Ralph Smith, 1922 - 2006
Chapter 1: 1922-27 - Early Years
Chapter 2: 1928-31 - Childhood
Chapter 3: 1932-33 - Family Life
Chapter 4: 1933-34 - Junior School
Chapter 5: 1934-38 - Grammar School
Chapter 6 - 1938-39 - Leaving School
Chapter 7: 1939 - Outbreak of War
Chapter 8: 1940 - Gathering Storm
Chapter 9: 1940 - Bombers Over London
Chapter 10: 1941-1942 - War at Sea
Chapter 11: 1942-1943 - I Join the Navy
Chapter 12: 1943 - HNMS "Flores"
Inspection at Greenock*
Chapter 13: 1943 - In Convoy
Chapter 14: 1943 - Invasion of Italy
The Terrible Twins*
Chapter 15: 1943-44 - Anzio
Chapter 16: 1944 - Doodlebugs
Chapter 17: 1944-45 - The End in Sight
Chapter 18: 1945-46 - War is Over!
Chapter 19: 1946-49 - Aftermath of War
Chapter 20: 1950-53: End of Empire
Chapter 21: 1953-56: Defence Policy
Chapter 22: 1956-61: Space Race
Chapter 23: 1961-66: The Cuba Crisis
Chapter 24: 1966-74: Britain in Decline
Chapter 25: 1974-78: Ministry of Defence
Chapter 26: 1978-80: Winter of Discontent
Chapter 27: 1980-82: Two Final Years
Epilogue: 1998
Appendix 1
Appendix 2
Appendix 3
* (Pages added by Ralph's son, Brian, in 2017)
Noted events in his life were:
• connection. 287
Ralph married Freda Power, daughter of Robert John Power and Nellie Hayman, on 13 Apr 1944 in Cardiff, South Glamorganshire, Wales UK. (Freda Power was born on 1 Feb 1922 in Cardiff, South Glamorganshire, Wales UK.)
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