Post by Luther Moore on Apr 22, 2012 15:09:56 GMT 12
A TEARFUL farewell, decades overdue, has been given to Australian Spitfire pilot and childhood hero, Sergeant William 'Bill' James Smith in France.
Almost 70 years after the 24-year-old RAAF airman was listed missing in action, his remains have been buried during a moving service with full military honours.
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Sergeant Smith's brother Bert, younger by 10 years, and the last surviving member of the pilot's immediate family, travelled from Victoria for today's service in the township of Cassel in northern France.
Delivering an emotional eulogy, Mr Smith recalled hearing the devastating news of his sibling's disappearance.
"I fully remember as a young man ... when my mother received those two fateful letters," Mr Smith told a large crowd who braved rain at the small war graves cemetery today.
"The first one which said 'your son is missing in action' and the second which said 'missing in action, believed killed'.
"My mother ... refused to believe that her beloved son was dead (and that) Bill would turn up somehow."
While Sgt Smith's mother never learned of her son's demise, in October 2011 a film crew making a documentary discovered his remains and aircraft in a farmer's field, nearby Cassel, and the news soon reached Bert.
"Bill, you were always to me a loving brother and somebody who was a role model to me, who I tried so hard to fill his shoes when I was growing up," Mr Smith said.
"Bill, you will always be to us that dashing, handsome fighter pilot who gave his life for us, for his family, for his country and for the people of France.
"Return now Bill to the soil of France which has held you to her bosom and hidden you from us for all these years. We shall never forget."
Sergeant Smith was last spotted on May 9, 1942, engaged in a dogfight with German aircraft 20,000 feet over the English channel.
Common belief that his Spitfire ditched in the sea, were proven wrong by last year's discovery.
"We finally have the opportunity to honour Bill Smith for his service," Australian government representative Ian Campbell said during the service.
"This grave, long overdue, will long be maintained ... so others will know of his service and sacrifice."
Two weeks after Sgt Smith went missing, his squadron returned to Australia to assist the defence of Darwin.
Mr Smith, who lived with his brother in Melbourne along with one of their three sisters before Bill went to war, remembered a spirited man who liked to watch Collingwood play, enjoyed ballroom dancing, and was a smart dresser.
"He became my mentor in a way," Mr Smith said.
"He was everything you would expect of a Spitfire pilot ... you have heroes and he was a hero and you follow everything that he did."
Several nieces and nephews of Sgt Smith from both Australia and the UK attended today's service.
The badly damaged Spitfire, from the RAF fleet, is not deemed suitable for display or restoration.
www.news.com.au/features/anzac-day/raaf-spitfire-pilot-finally-buried-in-france/story-e6frfldi-1226333848541
