LEST WE FORGET
Leading Aircraftman John Charles SMITH
Service No: 410176
Born: Traralgon VIC, 23 September 1922
Enlisted in the RAAF: 5 December 1941
Unit: No. 14 Service Flying Training School (RCAF)
Died: Aircraft Accident (No. 14 Service Flying Training School Harvard aircraft 2972), Aylmer, 5 December 1942, Aged 20 Years
Buried: Aylmer Cemetery, Ontario
CWGC Additional Information: Son of Mr. and Mrs. William Horace Smith, of Everton, Victoria, Australia
Roll of Honour: Unknown
Remembered: Panel 133, Commemorative Area, Australian War Memorial, Canberra ACT
Shortly after take-off during a night flying exercise on 5 December 1942, Harvard 2972 crashed one mile north west of the aerodrome at Aylmer at 2300 hours and Leading Aircraftman Smith, flying solo, was killed.
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, 163/162/549