Engine Room Artificer David Smyth Caughey (D/MX 59143) served in the Royal Navy during the Second World War. He was the son of Annie Caughey of Belfast, Co. Antrim.
He died on 9th April 1942 while serving on HMS Hermes. This vessel was the first purpose-built aircraft carrier launched. During Japanese raids on Trincomalee, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), Hermes was undergoing repairs. The carrier left port in advance of the raids but on returning on 9th April 1942, a Japanese reconnaissance plane spotted Hermes off the coast at Batticaloa.
As HMS Hermes was under repair, there were no planes on board when 70 bombers attacked. Hermes went down after taking 40 hits. A total of 307 crew members died as a result of the sinking. Australian Destroyer HMAS Vampire, British Corvette HMS Hollyhock, HMS Athelstane, and RFA British Sergeant also went down in the attack.
David Smyth Caughey has no known grave. His name is on Panel 68, Column 3 of the Plymouth Naval Memorial, Plymouth, Devon.