LEST WE FORGET
Leading Aircraftman Francis Fletcher SMITH
Service No: 64697
Born: Narrandera NSW, 25 January 1924
Enlisted in the RAAF: 12 May 1942
Unit: No. 2 Aircraft Deport, RAAF Richmond NSW
Died: Aircraft Accident (No. 2 Aircraft Depot Hudson aircraft A16-68), Richmond, 20 December 1944, Aged 20 Years
Buried: Richmond War Cemetery, NSW
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Francis Sinclair Jocelyn and Mary Smith, of Narrandera.
Roll of Honour: Narrandera NSW
Remembered: Panel 113, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
Remembered: Narrandera World War II Memorial, Narrendera NSW
At 1635 hours on 20 December 1944, Hudson A16-68 crashed on approach to Richmond and all on board were killed. The cause of the accident is undetermined. On board the aircraft were:
Corporal John McLennan Allen (36531) (Fitter IIA)
Pilot Officer John James Broderick (409022) (Wireless Air Gunner)
Leading Aircraftman Noel Austin Chamberlain (15786) (Fitter IIE)
Leading Aircraftman John Michael Gleeson (62705) (Fitter IIE)
Corporal Robert Henry McIlroy (35228)
Aircraftwoman Nancy Margaret Ralph (109913) (Flight Rigger)
Flight Lieutenant Ronald William Shore (411199) (Pilot)
Leading Aircraftman Francis Fletcher Smith (64697) (Fitter IIA)
References:
Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour On-Line Records
Commonwealth War Graves Commission On-Line Records
Department of Veteran’s Affairs On-Line WWII Nominal Roll
National Archives of Australia On-line Record A9845, 138
Register of War Memorials in New South Wales On-Line