Smith, James McGregor
Personal Information
Rank | Sgt |
Forename(s) | James McGregor |
Surname | Smith |
Gender | M |
Age | 21 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 03-11-1943 |
Next of Kin | Son of Alexander Smith and Mary Adams Smith (née McGregor), of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Avro Lancaster I |
Serial Number | ED321 |
Markings | CF-V |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | Germany |
Burial/Memorial Place | Reichswald Forest War Cemetery |
Grave Reference | 6. G. 3. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 1 |
Panel Number | 99 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | R/186445 |
Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Group | 1 |
Squadron | 625 |
Trade | Air Gunner |
Country of Origin | Canada |
Other Memorials
Location | Roadside Location, Kelstern, Lincolnshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Memorial Stone and inscribed metal plaque |
Memorial Text | A memorial to 625 Sqn, RAF Kelstern October 1943 to April 1945 |
Location | St. Faiths Church. Kelstern, Lincolnshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | RoH in wooden case |
Memorial Text | 625 Sqn Roll of Honour and Sqn badge |
Miscellaneous Information
James was born on 12 June 1922 at Fernigair, Hamilton, Scotland. His parents were both born in Scotland, his father in Ashgill who worked as a labourer and his mother in Bellsil. He was one of five children having one married sister Margarate , twin brothers Thomas and George and a brother Pte. Alex Smith who was in the Canadian army. James attended Bennetto Public School in Hamilton, Ont. 1928-1936, (general course) and Wentworth Technical, Hamilton 1936-1938 (Industrial). His sporting interests were hockey, baseball and golf and he was interested in photography. James worked as a baker between 1938-1940 at R.B. Hills Bakery in Hamilton, followed by a Press Hand for N. Slater 1940-1942 also in Hamilton. |
He enlisted on 9 September 1942 and after training embarked for the U.K. on 23 June 1943 where he arrived at 3PRC on 2 July. He was then at 30 OTU on 9 July 1943, 1667 CU 11 August 1943, and 625 Squadron on 15 October 1943. James very sadly lost his life on 3 November 1943, shortly after arrival. |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/2143/35 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/2143/3 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 03-11-1943 |
End Date | 04-11-1943 |
Takeoff Station | Kelstern |
Day/Night Raid | Night (37% moon) |
Operation | Dusseldorf |
Reason for Loss | Crashed in the target area |