William Thomas Smith
William Thomas Smith | |
---|---|
Born | 21 October 1896 Flight Sergeant |
Unit | Royal Engineers No. 45 Squadron RFC No. 104 Squadron RAF |
Battles/wars | World War I • Western Front World War II |
Awards | Distinguished Conduct Medal Military Medal |
Flight Sergeant William Thomas Smith DCM, MM (21 October 1896 – October 1994) was a British World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.[1]
World War I
Smith enlisted into the Royal Engineers in 1914[1] with the rank of pioneer, and on 9 December 1916 was awarded the Military Medal "for bravery in the Field".[2]
He then transferred to the
- 48027 Pioneer W. T. Smith, Royal Engineers, attached Royal Flying Corps.
- "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty whilst acting as aerial gunner to an officer. Having shot down an enemy machine, his own pilot was wounded, and fell forward insensible on to the control lever. Pioneer Smith then climbed forward along the plane, pulled the pilot off the lever and got the machine under control. The officer then partially recovered, whereupon he remained standing on the side of the fuselage shouting words of encouragement to him, and the machine was eventually landed without much damage, entirely owing to his exceptionally gallant and prompt action."[4]
It would be exactly a year after his first that his second victory was gained, and by then he was serving in No. 104 Squadron RAF, part of the Independent Air Force, flying in an Airco DH.4 piloted by Captain Jeffrey Home-Hay. In five days the pair accounted for four Albatros D.Vs; the first, on 11 August 1918, was driven down out of control over Karlsruhe. On 13 August they destroyed and drove down two more near Corny, and finally on 15 August drove down another at Château-Salins.[1]
Later career
Post-war, Smith emigrated to Australia and was living in
References
- ^ a b c "William Thomas Smith". The Aerodrome. 2016.
- ^ "No. 29854". The London Gazette (Supplement). 8 December 1916. p. 12052.
- ^ "No. 30346". The London Gazette (Supplement). 19 October 1917. p. 10868.
- ^ "No. 30495". The London Gazette (Supplement). 25 January 1918. p. 1332.
- ^ "Service Record: Smith, William Thomas". World War Two Nominal Roll, Department of Veterans' Affairs. 2016.