Frith, Robert William

Date of birth:: 1923
Date of death:: July 28th, 2003
Nationality:: British

Biography

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Distinguished Service Medal (DSM)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Leading Seaman
Unit:: H.M.S. Nyasaland (K587), Royal Navy
Awarded on:: May 22nd, 1945

"For vigilance and skill in operations against an enemy submarine while serving in H.M.S. Nyasaland as escort to the S.S. Rimutaka, in which the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester were embarked."
"The Skipper Lt. Comdr. SCOTT of the Royal Navy Frigate HMS 'Nyasaland' had positioned his vessel above a U Boat in the bay of Biscay, and had ordered all water tight doors to be sealed as is normal at Action Stations. He then called for the Captain of the Guns crew to fire the device. Bob FRITH later 562A was the trained man. The depth charge type bombs needed to set at different depths all around the Frigate, which was restricted to 2 knots. It was fired successfully and sunk the U Boat with all hands. The Frigate was also damaged to its underside due to the force of the explosion and the lack of depth. However, it made for Glasgow where it was repaired. The device which threw a pattern of Depth Charges all around and close to the firing vessel was discontinued in that form due, to collateral damage to the firing vessels."