Barton-Smith, Reginald Lionel
Personal Information
Rank | P/O |
Forename(s) | Reginald Lionel |
Surname | Barton-Smith |
Gender | M |
Age | 22 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 11-11-1943 |
Next of Kin | Son of Lionel John and Minnie Jane Barton-Smith, of Charlton. Husband of Irene Miriam Barton-Smith, of Charlton. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Avro Lancaster I |
Serial Number | W4902 |
Markings | UG-Q |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Charlton Cemetery, Greenwich |
Grave Reference | Sec. Q. 2nd Cons. Grave 888. |
Epitaph | HE TRAVELLED THE SKIES AND FOUND THE BRIGHTNESS OF ETERNITY |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 1 |
Panel Number | 6 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 161601 |
Service | Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve |
Group | 5 |
Squadron | 1654 HCU |
Trade | Pilot |
Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 11-11-1943 |
End Date | 12-11-1943 |
Takeoff Station | Wigsley |
Day/Night Raid | Night (100% moon) |
Operation | Training |
Reason for Loss | In the latter stages of a night training flight and at a low altitude when the mid-upper gunner reported seeing a Wellington bomber apparently on a collision course. The pilot of the Lancaster took avoiding action by descending and the plane flew into a belt of trees and crashed in a field near Hackthorn, Lincolnshire. The aircraft burst into flames. Three of the crew - Plt Off Reginald Lionel Barton-Smith (Pilot), Sgt Haydn Deryk Ryder (Nav), Sgt Ronald John Huish (W.Op/AG), died in the crash and the remaining four were seriously injured. Weather conditions were good for night flying with bright moonlight and little cloud. There was, however, a ground haze which restricted the visibility at low level. A discrepancy of 1,000 feet between the readings of the two altimeters (pilot's and navigator's) aboard the Lancaster was reported, and it would appear that the pilot thought he was flying higher than he actually was. |