Smith, Leslie Frederick
Personal Information
Rank | F/O |
Forename(s) | Leslie Frederick |
Surname | Smith |
Gender | M |
Age | 28 |
Decorations | DFC |
Date of Death | 08-09-1943 |
Next of Kin | Son of James Frederick and Florence Elizabeth Smith, of Bletchley. Husband of Norah Kathleen Smith, of Bletchley. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Short Stirling I |
Serial Number | W7455 |
Markings | -U |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Bletchley Cemetery |
Grave Reference | New Part. Grave 1061. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 244 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 136933 |
Service | Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve |
Group | 3 |
Squadron | 1657 HCU |
Trade | Pilot |
Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
Other Memorials
Location | Outside former Officers Mess, Stradishall, Suffolk |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Brick Memorial with Inscribed Marble Tablets |
Memorial Text | To commemorate 32 years of service by the men and women of R.A.F. Stradishall 1938 - 1970 |
Location | Adjacent to former Officers Mess, Stradishall, Suffolk |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Brick Pillar & inscribed Marble Tablet |
Memorial Text | To commemorate 32 years and the Men and Women who were stationed at R.A.F. Stradishall and to honour the sacrifices that were made. |
Miscellaneous Information
Died the following day from his burns |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 07-09-1943 |
End Date | 07-09-1943 |
Takeoff Station | Stradishall |
Day/Night Raid | Day |
Operation | Training- evening exercise |
Reason for Loss | Attacked by an intruder and put down in a corn field between Withersfield and Great Thurlow, Suffolk. All the crew except F/S Reddy were able to scramble to safety, by which time the aircraft was ablaze. Realising that the air bomber wasn't accounted for, the pilot P/O L F Smith DFC re-entered the aircraft and was able to pull F/S Reddy clear. His burns were so serious that P/O Smith died the following day. |