Smith, Charles Worth
Personal Information
Rank | P/O |
Forename(s) | Charles Worth |
Surname | Smith |
Gender | M |
Age | 33 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 12-05-1944 |
Next of Kin | Son of Jesse Smith and Vera Grace Smith (née Burley), of Berwyn, Alberta, Canada. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Avro Lancaster III |
Serial Number | JB409 |
Markings | UM-P2 |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Runnymede Memorial |
Grave Reference | Panel 253. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 1 |
Panel Number | 98 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | J/89806 |
Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Group | 1 |
Squadron | 626 |
Trade | Air Gunner |
Country of Origin | Canada |
Other Memorials
Location | Main Entrance, Wickenby Airfield, Lincolnshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Memorial Stone, Metal Scupture, Info Board |
Memorial Text | This memorial commemorates the 1080 aircrew killed on operations with Nos (12B) and 626 squadrons whilst based at Royal Air Force Wickenby 1942-1945, the design and building of the memorial in 1981 was funded by subscription from members of the Wickenby R |
Miscellaneous Information
Charles was born on 8 December 1910 at Shellbrook, Saskatchewan. Both parents were born in America, His father in Iowa at Coon Rapids who was an auctioneer and his mother in New York. He had a brother Donald Glen and a sister, Opal. The schools he attended were Berwyn 1917-1927 (grade 8) followed 1927-1929 grades 9 and10. His sporting interests were hockey and baseball. Between 1929-1938 Charles worked for H. McDougal in Berwyn, as a clerk , followed by odd jobs during 1939-1941 so he could work outside, which he preferred . |
He then enlisted on 16 July 1941 at Edmonton and after training was posted to the U.K. He embarked on 28 October 1942 arriving at 3PRC on 6 November then continued to 81 OTU 8 December 1942, 1656 CU 1 April 1943, 100 Sqn 7 May 1943, 82 OTU 6 November 1943, 103 Sqn 17 April 1944 and 626 Squadron on 20 April 1944. The following month on 12 May 1944, Charles sadly lost his life |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/2148/8 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/2145/13 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 11-05-1944 |
End Date | 12-05-1944 |
Takeoff Station | Wickenby |
Day/Night Raid | Night (85% moon) |
Operation | Hasselt- to attack railway yards |
Reason for Loss | Hit by cannon fire from a night fighter and exploded, crashing into a sea dyke on the Dutch island of Zuid Beveland |