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In Memory of

CAPTAIN ANTHONY SHAND LESLIE (TONY) SMITH RN (RTD)

The SAA is saddened to advise of the passing of
CAPTAIN ANTHONY SHAND LESLIE (TONY) SMITH RN (RTD)

It is with great sadness that the SAA announces the passing of Captain A.S.L. (Tony) Smith RN (Rtd) in the United Kingdom on 22 December 2025. Tony entered the Royal Navy as a Midshipman in 1965 through the Britannia Royal Naval College at Dartmouth. He volunteered for submarines upon graduation and trained at HMS Dolphin before commencing a two-year junior officer exchange with the Royal Australian Navy, where he served as the Torpedo Officer of HMAS Oxley. Upon his return to the UK, he served in HMS Andrew (first commissioned in 1948) before undertaking nuclear submarine training and joining HMS Repulse in 1974.

In 1975, Tony returned to conventionally powered submarines, serving in HMS Oberon prior to completing the Submarine Command Qualifying Course (“Perisher”) in 1976. His affinity for Australia, forged during his earlier exchange, later saw him return to command HMAS Onslow from 1976 to 1978. Tony and his wife Helen thoroughly enjoyed their time in Australia with Tony later recounting;

"HMAS Onslow was a wonderful period, not a great area of operations or action, but many interesting events and port visits. A three-week break in Singapore followed by a major US/AUS exercise and a visit to Hawaii. One story my children always loved was when Rear Admiral McDonald, the fleet Commander-In-Chief, visited the submarine for a sea trip. We did an underwater look on a frigate taking pictures of its underwater fittings, a very delicate operation that requires considerable concentration and attention to detail. Halfway through the operation the heads back flushed and some very old brown poos floated through the control room and around the Admiral’s feet. He could not believe that I took no notice. We did have to clean his shoes before he left the submarine!  A final event was to enter Sydney Harbour dived with the submarine’s families watching on from North and South Heads. It was also a very happy family time with our three young children and a lot of dinghy sailing with our old sailing friends from 69."

Subsequent Royal Navy postings included the Oberon-class submarine HMS Oracle, and the nuclear submarines HMS Courageous as XO, and in command of HMS Trafalgar, and HMS Splendid. He also served on the staff of the Flag Officer Submarines (FOSM), later assuming command of HMS Dolphin and serving as Captain SM1. Tony’s funeral will be held at 1430 on Tuesday, 27 January 2026, at Holy Trinity Church, Bosham, West Sussex, PO18 8LY, followed by a gathering at the adjacent Bosham Sailing Club. The family kindly requests no wreaths or flowers. Donations in Tony’s memory are warmly welcomed and may be made to St Wilfrid’s Hospice, Chichester, and/or the Chichester Harbour Trust. The SAA extends its condolences to Tony’s wife Helen and his extended family and friends. If anyone wishes to extend their personal condolences to Helen, please contact the National Secretary Tony Vine on national.saa.secretary@gmail.com for Helen Smith’s email address.

May He Rest In Peace