Smith, James Henry
Personal Information
Rank | F/O |
Forename(s) | James Henry |
Surname | Smith |
Gender | M |
Age | 25 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 15-04-1944 |
Next of Kin | Son of Hilliard and Viola Smith, of Nairn Centre, Ontario, Canada. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Handley Page Halifax V |
Serial Number | EB205 |
Markings |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Harrogate (Stonefall) Cemetery |
Grave Reference | Sec. B. Row A. Grave 11. |
Epitaph | LOVED BY ALL WHO KNEW HIM |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 244 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | J/18558 |
Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Group | 6 |
Squadron | 1664 HCU |
Trade | WOp/AG |
Country of Origin | Canada |
Other Memorials
Location | Roadside location, Dalton on Tees, North Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Inscribed stone obolisk, metal sculpture and information board |
Memorial Text | In memory of all those who served at RAF Croft during WW2, including 1664 HCU |
Location | Outside Village Hall, Dishforth, North Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Stone pillar and inscribed metal plaque |
Memorial Text | A memorial to the men of the Royal Canadian Air Force who served at RAF Dishforth during WW2, including 1664 HCU |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 15-04-1944 |
End Date | 15-04-1944 |
Takeoff Station | Dishforth |
Day/Night Raid | Day |
Operation | Training- evening cross-country exercise |
Reason for Loss | Returned to base amidst worsening weather conditions. The pilot was already having difficulties with the port engines and had ordered the rest of the crew to assume the crash position while he decided to land at Topcliffe rather than enter the circuit for Dishforth. Overshot and crashed into cottages and a railway bridge, catching fire on impact. Local farmers pulled four injured servicemen from the wreckage but sadly two died of their injuries- F/O Holloway and F/O Smith. Three civilians were also killed. |