Gateway School 1932-36. Son of William and Sarah Smith.
Flight Sergeant Smith was the second pilot of Manchester R5792 that was on a training flight when it had a mid-air collision. Hurricane V6864 of 57 Operational Training Unit (O.T.U.) based at RAF Hawarden near Chester, flew out of low cloud and cut off one of the Manchester’s wings. Both aircraft crashed near Sutton Bridge, Lincolnshire. There were no survivors. Flight Sergeant Smith is buried in Gilroes Cemetery, Leicester, Section M, Grave 705.
Crew members:-
Pilot – P/O 82677 Henry Thomas Hill age 232nd Pilot – Flt Sgt 745479 Arthur Carriss Smith age 21
Observer – Sgt 994648 John Newton
Wireless Op./Air Gnr. – Sgt 1007372 Fred Holt age 21 Wireless Op./ Air Gnr. – Sgt 1198837 Francis Edward Martin age 19
Air Gnr. – Sgt 614026 Jesse Few (air gunner)
Sgt 407432 Ernest Charles Hutton age 23 RAAF
