Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 5, 2007 12:52:19 GMT 12
www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/timaruherald/4259704a6571.html
Bruce Smith a decorated pilot
The Timaru Herald | Saturday, 3 November 2007
Albury farmer Bruce Edwin Smith, who recently died aged 92, was a decorated Second World War Lancaster bomber flying officer.
With the help of his father he went on to his own farm, Eskdale, in 1939 and as a wartime farmer could have remained within the safety of an essential occupation.
However, he joined the RNZAF in 1942 and after initial training as a pilot at Harewood, went to Canada, and gained his wings.
He finished his training in England and flew 33 missions over Europe with 103 Squadron.
The bomber captain was given a host of targets to attack including oil refineries, railway yards, flying bomb sites, canals and docks, and armament factories, in places such as Stuttgart, Stettin, Frankfurt, Dusseldorf, Saarbrucken, and Duisberg.
At the end of his operational service late in 1944, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for "courage, skill, and determination in pressing home his attacks, regardless of the weight of enemy opposition, and setting a fine example to other captains in the squadron."
He received his award from the hand of King George V1 at Buckingham Palace in July 1945.
Mr Smith was quick to gloss over his actions and say that by 1944 the threat to the British and American bombers was not as bad as earlier in the war. However, 103 Squadron lost 135 aircraft and close to 1000 men.
Mr Smith returned and reacquainted himself with Albury nurse Joyce Besley. The couple married in 1946 and had three sons and a daughter.
Son Graham said his father took an active part in community groups such as RSA, school committees and the Presbyterian Church.
He was an advisory member of the young farmers and enjoyed helping farmers starting out.
As a farmer he was interested in breeding first romneys and then the family moved into coopworths. Mr Smith was willing to try innovations in farming. He helped two sons move onto farms. And while being able to offer support, he let his sons find their own way.
"He was very willing to give us boys a real chance to make our own calls. Although it was his finance and his farm he let us have a pretty free rein and encouraged us to fullfil our dreams."
In 1980 the couple moved to a small farm at Levels. After the death of his wife in 1991 Mr Smith farmed on his own until the late 1990s. He moved to the Mountainview Retirement Village as it was being established and he built a house to suit him.
Graham Smith said the mixture of independence and being in a community suited his father.
"He enjoyed his years in the retirement village very much."
Mr Smith lived independently and drove until very recently.
"I think they will remember him for his friendliness, support and help in the Albury district, and his advice. He always showed a keen interest in his grandchildren and great grandchildren."
Mr Smith was an avid reader, who enjoyed being active. Right up to his passing he kept a vegetable plot and had much pleasure in supplying his family.
Bruce Smith a decorated pilot
The Timaru Herald | Saturday, 3 November 2007
Albury farmer Bruce Edwin Smith, who recently died aged 92, was a decorated Second World War Lancaster bomber flying officer.
With the help of his father he went on to his own farm, Eskdale, in 1939 and as a wartime farmer could have remained within the safety of an essential occupation.
However, he joined the RNZAF in 1942 and after initial training as a pilot at Harewood, went to Canada, and gained his wings.
He finished his training in England and flew 33 missions over Europe with 103 Squadron.
The bomber captain was given a host of targets to attack including oil refineries, railway yards, flying bomb sites, canals and docks, and armament factories, in places such as Stuttgart, Stettin, Frankfurt, Dusseldorf, Saarbrucken, and Duisberg.
At the end of his operational service late in 1944, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for "courage, skill, and determination in pressing home his attacks, regardless of the weight of enemy opposition, and setting a fine example to other captains in the squadron."
He received his award from the hand of King George V1 at Buckingham Palace in July 1945.
Mr Smith was quick to gloss over his actions and say that by 1944 the threat to the British and American bombers was not as bad as earlier in the war. However, 103 Squadron lost 135 aircraft and close to 1000 men.
Mr Smith returned and reacquainted himself with Albury nurse Joyce Besley. The couple married in 1946 and had three sons and a daughter.
Son Graham said his father took an active part in community groups such as RSA, school committees and the Presbyterian Church.
He was an advisory member of the young farmers and enjoyed helping farmers starting out.
As a farmer he was interested in breeding first romneys and then the family moved into coopworths. Mr Smith was willing to try innovations in farming. He helped two sons move onto farms. And while being able to offer support, he let his sons find their own way.
"He was very willing to give us boys a real chance to make our own calls. Although it was his finance and his farm he let us have a pretty free rein and encouraged us to fullfil our dreams."
In 1980 the couple moved to a small farm at Levels. After the death of his wife in 1991 Mr Smith farmed on his own until the late 1990s. He moved to the Mountainview Retirement Village as it was being established and he built a house to suit him.
Graham Smith said the mixture of independence and being in a community suited his father.
"He enjoyed his years in the retirement village very much."
Mr Smith lived independently and drove until very recently.
"I think they will remember him for his friendliness, support and help in the Albury district, and his advice. He always showed a keen interest in his grandchildren and great grandchildren."
Mr Smith was an avid reader, who enjoyed being active. Right up to his passing he kept a vegetable plot and had much pleasure in supplying his family.
