Philip Shaw Smith

Philip Smith was born at Grantham, England, on the 8th September, 1920, and at an early age accompanied his parents to New Zealand. His secondary education was received at the Seddon Memorial Technical School where he passed the Senior Free Place examination. The sports he took part in were cricket, swimming and tennis. His civilian occupation was that of a fire brigadesman employed by the Aukland Metropolitan Fire Board. In November, 1940, he applied for war service in the Royal New Zealand Air Force.

Sergeant Smith was enlisted for aircrew training on the 6th July, 1941 at the Initial Training Wing, Levin, and after a short course of ground trainingwas posted on the 17th August to No. 3 Elementary Flying Training School, Harewood, to commence his flying training. He then proceeded on the 27th September to No. 2 Service Flying Training School, Woodbourne, and while here on the 8th November 1941, was awarded his Flying Badge and on the 20th December received his promotion to sergeant. This was followed by a brief period of embarkation leave and on the 19th January 1942 he embarked for the United Kingdom.

Arriving in England on the 10th March, 1942, Sergeant Smith reported to No. 3 Personnel Reception Centre, Bournemouth, remaining here on attachment until posted on the 21st April to No. 5 (Pilots) Advanced Flying Unit, Tern Hill, Shropshire. For the next stage in his training he proceeded to No. 61 Operational Training Unit, first at Rednal and later at Montford Bridge, both in Shropshire. With this unit he completed his training on Spitfire fighter aircraft prior to being posted on the 14th July 1942 to No. 116 Squadron, Heston, Middlesex, for squadron flying duties. He remained with this squadron until the 19th September 1942 when he was posted to No. 616 Squadron, then at Great Sampford, Essex, and later moving to Tangmere, Sussex. Commencing operational flying with this squadron he carried out two convoy patrols and one offensive patrol over the Channel.

Sergeant Smith was pilot of a Spitfire fighter taking part in a convoy patrol and which crashed at Nettlecomb, Isle of Wight, on the 1st November, 1942, Sergeant Smith losing his life. He was buried on the 6th November in the Tangmere Parish Churchyard, Sussex.

337 hours as pilot.

Information provided courtesy of the RNZAF Personnel Archives.