James Robert Smith (RAF officer)

James Robert Smith
Born	8 May 1891 Harray, Orkney Islands, Scotland
Died	Unknown
Allegiance	Canada United Kingdom
Service/branch	Royal Flying Corps
Years of service	1915 - 1919
Rank	Second lieutenant
Unit	No. 18 Squadron RAF No. 33 Squadron RAF No. 51 Squadron RAF No. 78 Squadron RAF
Awards	French Croix de Guerre

Second lieutenant James Robert Smith (born 18 May 1891, date of death unknown) was a World War I flying ace credited with five aerial victories.

Early life

Smith was Scots born, but emigrated to Prince Edward, Saskatchewan, Canada in 1910, when in his late teens. He worked there as a mechanical and electrical engineer until 1912. In 1913, he started his own business in Regina, Saskatchewan, and ran it until he returned to the United Kingdom after the outbreak of war in the latter months of 1914. On 20 January 1915, James Robert Smith went to Ottawa and volunteered for military service. His Canadian Attestation Papers gives his next of kin as his father, James B. Smith. The younger Smith claimed to be in a Regina militia unit. Physical examination showed him to be five feet seven inches tall, with light brown hair and eyes and fair complexion.

Aerial service

Once in, he served as an observer/gunner in the Royal Aircraft Factory FE.2bs of 18 Squadron. He scored his first aerial victory on the day after Christmas 1916, when he drove down an Albatros D.II out of control over Vélu, France. On 6 April 1917, he scored his fifth victory over an Albatros D.II, having destroyed one, captured one, and driven three down out of control. Five days later, a stomach wound suffered in action removed him from duty. He recovered to serve in three Home Defence Squadrons during 1918. On 6 August 1918, he injured his left eye. He came back from that wound to serve in 78 squadron. He returned to Canada in late 1919.

References

• Pusher Aces of World War 1 Jon Guttman, Harry Dempsey. Osprey Pub Co, 2009. ISBN 1-84603-417-5, ISBN 978-1-84603-417-6.