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Son of Charles Newbald Smith and Beatrice Eleanor Smith, of Wankie, Southern Rhodesia. Entered Lloyd House in January 1933. He passed his Matric in 1938, and entered the Civil Service Law Department. He joined the R.A.F. in September 1940, and after being trained in Rhodesia went overseas in 1941. He took part in the commando raids on Vaagso and Maaloy Islands, being a pilot of a Hampden bomber. His machine was hit and he had to crash land in a fjord; he was in icy water for 40 minutes before being picked up. The late Reginald Newbold Smith's Wing Commander has written as follows about him: "He was undoubtedly one of the Squadron's finest Operational Captains. He had the heart of a lion and I shall always remember, when he returned from his Norwegian trip, how completely unshaken he was and his keenness to go on hammering the Hun. It was all the more tragic, therefore, that he should have been lost on what we considered to be a comparatively easy, quiet trip, particularly as he would, have been due for a rest from operational flying after approximately another half-a-dozen trips. I know that you will be pleased to know that I recommended him for a commission, and that we held a very high opinion of his qualities both as a pilot and a man. You have every right to be very proud of him, and he was a worthy son of Rhodesia." School Record : House Prefect, 1937; Head of Lloyd House and School Prefect, 1938; Sergeant in Cadet Corps; Bisley VIII, 1936, 1937, 1938; Rugger 1st XV, 1937-38 (Colours); Swimming Captain and Colours, 1937; Cricket 2nd XI. On Plumtree School Roll of Honour |
