D-Day battleship vet's 4,000-mile pilgrimage

Julie Gilbert • Published 5 May 2010 14:00

A NAVY veteran travelled 4,000 miles to see the striking new sculpture of Clyde-built battleship HMS Ramillies, which he served on during the Second World War.

Freddie Smith, 84, is one of only five surviving crew members of the 1,500 that served on Ramillies during the D-Day invasion of Normandy on June 6 1944.

The Revenge class warship - built in Dalmuir in 1916 - opened the invasion and fired 1,002 shells during the campaign.

Dalmuir Park Housing Association commissioned Clydebank artist Tom McKendrick to design and build a sculpture of the ship, which is now completed and erected at the corner of Beardmore Street and Dumbarton Road, Dalmuir.

Freddie travelled from Ontario, Canada, to see the sculpture and shared his memories of the D-Day campaign, which he was involved in at just 17 years of age.

He said: "I was a young signalman at the time and was positioned high on the battleship beside the funnel.

"We were told that it would all begin at dawn. Our targets were the guns of the Berneville Battery, which had to be put out of action so that troops could be landed and ships brought in.

"At 5.20am the order was given to fire.

"Within eighty minutes, four of the six guns had been silenced - the remaining two were silenced later in the day.

"It was not a one-sided battle however, Ramillies was hit twice by return fire and had five torpedoes fired at her, two coming within twenty-five yards - she had been dive bombed and attacked by E boats and destroyers."

Provost Denis Agnew held a reception in Freddie's honour and spoke of the great debt of gratitude owed to Freddie and his comrades.

Freddie was accompanied by three members of the Ramillies Association and Secretary Mick French said they were all delighted by the welcome, kindness and support shown by citizens of Clydebank.

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This article appeared in Clydebank Post 05 May 10

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