LEST WE FORGET
Flying Officer James Alexander SAINT-SMITH DFC DFM
Service No: 403380
Born: Singleton NSW, 29 December 1917
Enlisted in the RAAF: 6 January 1941
Unit: No. 627 Squadron (RAF), RAF Station Woodhall Spa
Awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM), 14 May 1943
Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), 15 August 1944
Died: Air Operations: (No. 627 Squadron Mosquito aircraft DZ516), France, 29 June 1944, Aged 26 Years
Buried: Abbeville Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, France
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Raymond and Catherine Mary Saint-Smith, of Earlwood, New South Wales, Australia
Roll of Honour: Earlwood NSW
Remembered: Panel 129, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
Remembered: Department of Education World War 2 Roll of Honour, Sydney NSW
DFM Citation (for service with No. 460 Squadron): “This airman has displayed outstanding determination in pressing home his attacks on enemy targets during numerous operational sorties. Early in March 1943, he participated in a raid on Berlin, and obtained an excellent photograph after the bombs had been released. He has at all times taken great care to identify the target and has, as pilot, done all in his powers to ensure accurate bombing. His high courage, skill and initiative, has set a magnificent example to his crew. I most strongly recommend this Captain of aircraft for an award of the DFM.” Remarks by Station Commander: “Flight Sergeant Saint-Smith has completed a most successful tour of operations. He has always shown a high degree of courage, skill and initiative, setting a magnificent example to his crew. I recommend that his splendid record be
rewarded by the award of the DFM.” (London Gazette 14 May 1943, Air2/8950)
DFC Citation: “Flying Officer Saint-Smith has taken part in a number of major attacks on Germany and enemy occupied territory. He has taken an important part in attacking an aircraft factory at Oslo and in several other operations against targets in Germany and France, exerting himself to the utmost to ensure their complete and final success. All these operations have had to be accomplished from a low level and have owed much of the effectiveness to his conspicuous gallantry and determination.” (Landon Gazette 15 August 1944, Page 3774)
On 29 June 1944, Mosquito DZ516 took off from Woodhall Spa detailed to mark a flying bomb site at Beauvoir, France. Nothing was heard from the aircraft and it failed to return to base. The aircraft was shot down and crashed in the Commune of Vaulx, France and both crew members were killed.
The crew members of DZ516 were:
Flying Officer Geoffrey Ernest Heath DFC DFM (6025) (Navigator)
Flying Officer James Alexander Saint-Smith DFC DFM (403380) (Pilot)
References:
Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour On-Line Records (RAAF Casualty Information compiled by Alan Storr (409804))
Commonwealth War Graves Commission On-Line Records
Department of Veterans’ Affairs On-Line WWII Nominal Roll
National Archives of Australia On-Line Record A705, 166/17/206
Register of War Memorials in New South Wales On-Line