Geoffrey John Kirkby
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Captain GJ Kirkby, HMS Diana, 1961 |
Geoffrey Kirkby, Royal Navy, (August 26, 1918 - October 24, 1998). He had an action packed Second World War, spent mainly at sea in small ships. He was one of the Royal Navy's most decorated officers.
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[edit] First DSC (June 1940)
At 21 years old Kirkby was awarded his first Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) for boarding the sinking Italian Navy submarine Torricelli and capturing the vessel's signal books. Kirkby was serving on board HMS Kingston at the time. The sight of the young Kirkby emerging from the conning tower of the submarine firmly clutching the invaluable enemy books remained a vivid image for all those who served with him.
[edit] Second DSC (March 1942)
Kirkby, while still serving on board Kingston, took part in one of the most famous naval actions of the Second World War. In a battle which came to be known as the Second Battle of Sirte, Rear Admiral Vian brilliantly protected a Malta convoy against a far superior Italian force.
Kingston took part in a daring torpedo raid for which the ship had to close within three miles of the Italian heavy units which led to the award of Kirkby's second DSC.
[edit] Third DSC (August 1944)
Kirkby was now on board HMS Melbreak which, for the Normandy landings, acted as a marker for US Forces landing at Omaha Beach.
The action which led to the award of his third DSC came in a series of fierce actions spread over four nights which frustrated the German efforts to evacuate Le Havre in August 1944.
[edit] Post war
One of his post war appointments was as Captain, HMS Diana, 1961, 1962. He was an inspirational leader of men who had the magical knack of creating a 'happy ship'.
He was known throughout the Royal Navy as a superb ship handler.
One of his two daughters is Emma Kirkby the renowned soprano.
