Lieut Commander C.S. Smedley CD*, RCN

[RCN]

As requested here is a brief writeup of the career of Fleet Diving Officer LtCr C.S. Smedley, Fleet Diving Officer, RCN.

Charles Stanley SMEDLEY CD* RCN.

Fleet Diving Officer RCN


Born UK 13 Dec 1910. Family moved to Canada 1913, settled in Canmore AB. Smedley applied to join RCN on Dec 20, 1926 aged 16. He was not accepted as too young. He applied again on Feb 27, ’28 & was accepted, entering as a Boy Seaman on 31 Aug ’28.
Smedley was very intelligent & a quick learner, he progressed rapidly up the promotion ladder in the small coastal service that was the RCN between the wars.
AB – June ’30, LS - March ’34, PO -July ’36, CPO -June ’40.

All thru has career he was taking courses to improve himself. As he had not completed grade 8 in school, he took various educational courses thru the ‘20’s, gaining educational certificates as well as professional advancement. He entered the Torpedo branch, qualifying as ST1, Dec ’30; LTO Oct ’3; & TGM Jun ’37. Smedley had an early interest in diving & was the first RCN member accepted to take the long Diver’s course at HMS Vernon UK, qualifying as a Diver 2nd class May ’31.
He then took another Diver course in ’34 qualifying as a 1st class Diver.

On Feb 6 ’42 he was promoted to Warrant Gunner(T), then Commissioned Gunner(T) 1July ’44. Smedley’s war service was in Destroyers as Gunnner(T), serving on HMCS Saguenay & Huron. During the war he took courses in Navigation, Torpedo, Damage Control, Electrical & Magnetism, & Seamanship. On his Gunner(T) qualification exam he scored 87%.

After the war Smedley returned to Diving, being appointed In Command of Diving Tender Nr 2 at HMCS Naden Feb ’46. He was to spend most of his post war naval career involved with naval diving.

Promoted to Commissioned Gunner(TAS)(T) upon the reorganization of the RCN Torpedo branch in July ’47. Promoted to Lieut(T)Dec ’48.

In Feb ’49 Smedley was selected for the Master Diving Course at the USN School for Deep Sea Divers in Washington DC, & subsequent duty at the New London CT, Submarine Base. He returned to Canada in Sep ’49 & was re-appointed In Command of Diving Tender Nr 2 & appointed Command Officer(Diving).
In Aug ’50 he was appointed to the Staff of Flag Officer Pacific coast & Staff Officer(Diving).

He was awarded CD with additional service clasp on Feb 6, ’51.

In Sep ’52 Smedley now leaves Diving duties for a period, being appointed to HMCS Bytown, Ottawa, ON, Directorate of Warfare & Training for TAS Duties.
Canada was developing a policy as an antisubmarine navy during this period & presumably Smedley was involved in shaping this policy.

In Sep ’53 he is appointed to HMCS Hunter (Naval Reserve Division, Windsor ON) as Staff Officer(Administration), & promoted to Lieut Commander, Apl ’55.

In Jan ’56 he returns to HMCS Stadacona as OIC Operational Diving Unit (East Coast). In Oct ’56 he is appointed in command of HMCS Granby, the operational diving unit on the east coast & appointed Fleet Diving Officer.
He remains in that appointment until he has to retire due to age (50) Dec ’60.

After he left the RCN Smedley moved back to BC, living in Delta, until he died on Jan 1, ’69, 58 yrs of age.
I am just speculating here but I expect his early death was somewhat brought on by his many years spent involved in diving.

Bryan

[RCN]

Here are copies of Smedley's original leters of application for entry into the RCN:::