Another Australian Spitfire Pilot found in France.

Great news Geoff and like Lee said, this has been a fascinating thread. Looking forward to the eventual release of some photos but I understand why this will take some time.

Good stuff.

 

Regarding the Runnymede Memorial, the memorial actual lists around 20,551 names, including names added after 1953 in the Addenda panels. 20,331 are currently listed on the database.

When CWGC decides the current panels need replacing due to wear and tear, only the current 20331 will be listed.

I do not believe the panel will be replaced any time in the near future and more likely many years in the future.

I believe the American system of placing a star next to each of the found, is a good way to show everyone that servicemen are always being found and commemorated.

Mark

 

Having had a relative killed over Germany in WW2 and lucky enough to be buried with his crew at the time, I can imagine how amazing and fulfilling this must be for the family, total kudos to Andy Saunders once more, I doff my cap.

I think the U.S. gold star is a simple, and very effective method and should be adopted retrospectivly by the CWGC

 

Thanks to everyone who has commented positively on this case, and to the forum in particular for enabling contact with family members who the team are now in touch with.

I am sure this is a story that will develop over the next few weeks and have little doubt that more of the background will emerge shortly.

Yesterday, some of the team met in France with the Australian Air Attache from Paris and the local Gendarmes in order to progress matters and I can only report at this stage that this was an exceptionally positive meeting although it will be understood that for a variety of reasons, not least of all official protocols, that neither I nor any member of the team are in a position to comment any further at this stage.

The full story will out in due course and save for the details that have been leaked thus far to the press there is nothing more that can be added for the time being.

Thank you all once again.

 

Thanks to everyone who has commented positively on this case, and to the forum in particular for enabling contact with family members who the team are now in touch with.

I am sure this is a story that will develop over the next few weeks and have little doubt that more of the background will emerge shortly.

Yesterday, some of the team met in France with the Australian Air Attache from Paris and the local Gendarmes in order to progress matters and I can only report at this stage that this was an exceptionally positive meeting although it will be understood that for a variety of reasons, not least of all official protocols, that neither I nor any member of the team are in a position to comment any further at this stage.

The full story will out in due course and save for the details that have been leaked thus far to the press there is nothing more that can be added for the time being.

Thank you all once again.

Hi Andy,

Thanks for letting us know that the family members have now been contacted. When all is said and done, they are the most important part of this find and we wish them all well in being able to finally get closure through the sterling efforts of the excavation team.

Cheers

Geoff

 

This is from Radio New Zealand:
Radio New Zealand : News : World : RAAF Spitfire found in France
Amateur historians have unearthed the wreckage of a Royal Australian Air Force Spitfire that crashed in northern France during World War II and the remains of its pilot.
The plane, was shot down in May 1942 near the village of Hardifort. The wreckage was found beneath five metres of soil.
The fighter was in pieces but the bones of its pilot, identified by tags as W.J. Smith of the RAAF, service number 400942, were recovered.
Officials from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission have taken charge of the pilot's remains for eventual burial.
The wreckage will eventually be delivered to La Coupole, a war museum that was a former rocket base in the nearby town of Saint Omer.
Hardifort mayor Jean Bogaert, 88, said he remembered seeing the plane crash.
"We saw it in the distance and there was a loud noise, a cloud of dust and that was it," he said.

 

I read in this thread that Josef Haibock is credited with shooting down a Spitfire 2 km north of Cassel on 9 May 1942. I have found reference to this in various sources but would like to know where this information can be confirmed. Obviously it has originated from his log or other official documents so any leads would be appreciated.

Greg

 

Hi Keith,

That is great news - Glad you found us here.

I noticed he was born in Kalgoorlie however he enlisted in Melbourne and presumably lived in Whittlesea which is not far from me.

Whittlesea residents will be glad to see that one of theirs will now have a headstone which I am sure you will post a copy here after the funeral.

I visited the grave of Henry Lacy Smith in May who was found last year and buried at Ranville War Cemetery on the 19th of April.

Hopefully you will post a bit about the life of William here as many will be interested.

Cheers

Geoff

Dear Geoff
A the news reports say, Bill was from Whittlesea VIC. Its probably more accurate to say he was from a place called Wallaby Creek VIC
I was born in 49 , Bill died in 42. The whole family was upset at his death and the they were reluctant to talk about him.
Now that he has been found I may be able to do a bit more research starting with his younger bro Bert. Bert is the only sibling left who is fit and well. The rest have either passed on or like my mother is in a nursing home due to a severe stroke.
Seems to me worth chasing up on.
Regards
Keith

 

Dear Geoff
A the news reports say, Bill was from Whittlesea VIC. Its probably more accurate to say he was from a place called Wallaby Creek VIC
I was born in 49 , Bill died in 42. The whole family was upset at his death and the they were reluctant to talk about him.
Now that he has been found I may be able to do a bit more research starting with his younger bro Bert. Bert is the only sibling left who is fit and well. The rest have either passed on or like my mother is in a nursing home due to a severe stroke.
Seems to me worth chasing up on.
Regards
Keith

Hi Keith,

Thanks for the contact!

Mark Smith cleared up the Wallaby Creek situation in post #55. Whittlesea being the closest town in those days seems the reason.

I hope you can get further information. Nearly 70 years have passed however it is great to see his relatives on this forum.

Good luck with the research and please keep us informed.

Cheers

Geoff

 

Heuuu...Do you mean this hero was your Uncle??
Dear Seb
Thank you for saying Bill was hero. I guess he was ,to face horrendous odds day after day which saw even veteran pilots die due to mechanical malfunctions or radar aimed anti-aircraft fire.
I have never fired a shot in anger, I cannot even imagine the the terrors he had to come to grips with so far from home.
Yes I am his Uncle, but I was born after his demise and did not have the pleasure of knowing him.
Reagrds
Keith

 

See attached Image of Bill in on his way to the UK Canada
Keith

 

See attached Image of Bill in on his way to the UK Canada
Keith

Hi Keith,

Great photo as it is good to see the lads as they were.

Which one is Bill?

Cheers

Geoff

 

Keith

Wonderful to see this picture, and thank you for posting.

I gather from Mark and Chris that some official news of identification is expected imminently.

Andy Saunders

 

Hi Keith,

Great photo as it is good to see the lads as they were.

Which one is Bill?

Cheers

Geoff

Geoff
The good lookin bloke, with the sergeant stripes, forfront.
That reminds me of another subject to follow up.
Girlfriends,sweethearts in OZ.

 

Geoff
The good lookin bloke, with the sergeant stripes, forfront.
That reminds me of another subject to follow up.
Girlfriends,sweethearts in OZ.

Thanks Keith,

He was a big lad.

There were a lot of those left behind and sadly for too many, never to see their lads again.

Cheers

Geoff

 

I am able to confirm that the RAAF officially named the pilot as Sgt William James SMITH earlier this week and officially notified the family who are both moved and delighted that William has been found, especially his 87 year old brother, Bert.
A military funeral will be held in northern France during April 2012.

 

I am able to confirm that the RAAF officially named the pilot as Sgt William James SMITH earlier this week and officially notified the family who are both moved and delighted that William has been found, especially his 87 year old brother, Bert.
A military funeral will be held in northern France during April 2012.

This is a very similar timeline to Henry Lacy Smith buried April 19th this year at Ranville.

 

The Story has made the sydney papers today & indicates he will be buried in Arneke, northern France

Honour at last for hero pilot, Sergeant Warren James Smith | thetelegraph.com.au


Regards

Simon

 

The Story has made the sydney papers today & indicates he will be buried in Arneke, northern France

Honour at last for hero pilot, Sergeant Warren James Smith | thetelegraph.com.au


Regards

Simon

Great news, however you would think they would get his name right.

What a disgrace.

In Memory of
Sergeant WILLIAM JAMES SMITH

400942, 457 Sqdn., Royal Australian Air Force
who died age 24
on 09 May 1942
Son of Samuel William and Freda Constance Adelaide Smith, of Whittlesea, Victoria, Australia.
Remembered with honour
RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL

 

The Defence Personnel Minister is Warren Snowdon.

She must have been confused or overwhelmed or was given the wrong information.