Smith, Frederick Percy
Personal Information
Rank | Sgt |
Forename(s) | Frederick Percy |
Surname | Smith |
Gender | M |
Age | 29 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 03-10-1943 |
Next of Kin | Son of George Frederick and Lilian Edith Smith, of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Vickers Wellington X |
Serial Number | HE276 |
Markings |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Towcester Cemetery |
Grave Reference | Row G. Grave 8. |
Epitaph | OUR DEAR AND ONLY CHILD WHO MADE THE GREAT SACRIFICE, WE GRIEVE FOR YOU. MUM & DAD |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 1 |
Panel Number | 98 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | R/166678 |
Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Group | 92 |
Squadron | 17 OTU |
Trade | Air Bomber |
Country of Origin | Canada |
Other Memorials
Location | Village Centre, Silverstone, Northamptonshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Village Sign & Inscribed Slate Tablet |
Memorial Text | In memory of No. 17 OTU, Silverstone Airfield. 1943 - 1946 |
Location | Within Motor Racing Circuit, Silverstone, Northamptonshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Memorial Stone & Stencilled RoH |
Memorial Text | Per Ardua Ad Astra to those who served No.17 OTU R.A.F. Silverstone. 1943 - 1946 |
Location | Road Bridge over A43, Turweston, Northamptonshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Framed Scroll |
Memorial Text | Remembered with Honour, Bomber Command, 17 OTU, RAF Silverstone and RAF Turweston. 1943 - 1945 |
Miscellaneous Information
The flight engineer, Sgt. Reg Hyde, who had been screened from operations from 49 Squadron, survived the crash and was treated for his burns by the famous Sir Archibald McIndoe. He met his future wife Jean Fuggle, a nurse, while in hospital in East Grinstead. In fact he should have been on the aircraft that was blocking the runway but swapped at the last minute. The air gunner, Sgt. R. J Wells also survived the ordeal and went on to receive a DFM during his time with 75 Squadron. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 03-10-1943 |
End Date | 03-10-1943 |
Takeoff Station | Silverstone |
Day/Night Raid | Day |
Operation | Night navigation exercise |
Reason for Loss | Port engine stopped on the approach for landing. Another aircraft was on the runway and by the time the pilot realised, he was committed to land. He successfully avoided the other aircraft but collided with two trees and caught fire. |