Smith, Leonard Joseph
Personal Information
Rank | F/O |
Forename(s) | Leonard Joseph |
Surname | Smith |
Gender | M |
Age | 21 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 29-05-1944 |
Next of Kin | Son of Ben and Edna Smith, of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Vickers Wellington X |
Serial Number | LN443 |
Markings |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Brookwood Military Cemetery |
Grave Reference | 49. D. 7. |
Epitaph | IN LOVING MEMORY OF OUR DEAR SON SADLY MISSED BY MOM, DAD AND BROTHER |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 1 |
Panel Number | 99 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | J/35016 |
Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Group | 93 |
Squadron | 82 OTU |
Trade | Air Bomber |
Country of Origin | Canada |
Other Memorials
Location | Holy Rood Church, Ossington, Nottinghamshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed Metal Plaque |
Memorial Text | A memorial to those personnel from RAF Ossington who worshipped at Ossington church, 1941 to 1946 |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 28-05-1944 |
End Date | 29-05-1944 |
Takeoff Station | Ossington |
Day/Night Raid | Night (41% moon) |
Operation | Nickel operation, Nantes |
Reason for Loss | Supposedly hit by anti-aircraft fire as it crossed the Dorset coast near Gillingham but in fact was shot down by a Mosquito fighter according to the official accident report. The accident record states that the pilot of the Wellington failed to identify himself in the correct manner. The fighter pilot stated that he had not been informed of the liklihood of Wellingtons being in the area and had he been so informed, he would probably have recognised them even though they did not respond correctly when challenged. No action was taken against the Mosquito pilot (P/O Webbe) due to the extenuating circumstances and the anguish that this incident had undoubtedly caused him. |