Date of birth:

August 17th, 1915 (London/Ontario, Canada)

Date of death:

November 17th, 1965 (Montreal/Quebec, Canada)

Service number:

41665/C94080

Nationality:

Canadian

Robert Rutherford Smith was wounded over Kent on September 15th, 1940 when he was shot down with his Hawker Hurricane V6616. On March 10th, 1943 he became POW after his Curtiss P-40, FR325, GA-V, No. 112 Squadron was shot down by Major Joachim Müncheberg, Kommodore Jagdgeschwader 77. He achieved a total of eight air victories.

Promotions:
May 16th, 1938: Pupil Pilot;
July 9th, 1938: Acting Pilot Officer on probation;
May 16th, 1939: Pilot Officer;
September 3rd, 1940: Flying Officer;
September 3rd, 1941: Flight Lieutenant.

Career:
?: No. 3 Flying Training School;
October 1938: No. 229 Squadron;
?: Flying Instructor;
September 1941: No. 112 Squadron;
March 10th, 1943: POW;
November 24th, 1944: transfer RCAF;
July 23rd, 1945: to Canada;
November 16th, 1945: honorable discharge.

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Flight Lieutenant

Unit:

No. 112 Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

February 23rd, 1943

Citation:
"Flight Lieutenant Smith is a courageous fighter. In October 1942, on his first sortie with the squadron, he shot down one of four Messerschmitts which were intercepted. Some days later, during a bomber sortie, he destroyed an Italian aircraft after evading an enemy fighter which had pursued him. In December 1942, Flight Lieutenant Smith destroyed two enemy aircraft on one sortie, bringing his total victories to eight. He has displayed great keenness and determination.

• - The London Gazette Publication date:19 February 1943 Supplement:35914Page:929
  - The Battle of Britain London Monument
  - Royal Canadian Air Force Association - "Per Ardua Ad Astra"
  - Smith, Robert Rutherford (Flight Lieutenant), Prisoner of War 1943-03-10
  - RCAF - SMITH Robert Rutherford
  - Bob Smith
  - Battle of Britain London Monument