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David Esplin Smith

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David Smith (image courtesy of the aerodrome.com)

Military Information

  • Date of enlistment:
  • Place of enlistment:
  • Service no: N/A
  • Rank: Lieutenant
  • Service Occupation:
  • Awards:
  • Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force
  • Unit/Ship: 20th Squadron
  • Place of Death: Belgium
  • Age at Death: 19
  • Date of Death: 14.08.1918
  • Burial Country: Belgium
  • Cemetery: Tyne Cot Cemetery
  • Grave/Mem Ref no: LIX.E.32.

Personal Information

  • Date of Birth:
  • Place of Birth: Dundee
  • Address:
  • Occupation: Barbers Assistant
  • Mother:

    Rebecca Smith, 4 Carver St, Mass, USA

  • Father:

    Cosmo Smith, 4 Carver St, Mass, USA

  • Siblings:
  • Spouse:
  • Children:

More about David Esplin Smith

For reasons unknown this man is not listed on the original Dundee roll of Honour. David was killed in action whilst piloting a Bristol F2B, C987, his observer 2nd Lieutenant J. Hills was taken prisoner.

A barber’s assistant, David Esplin Smith, the son of Mungo and Rebecca Smith, enlisted on 28 November 1915 but was discharged on 12 February 1916 for being under-age. Enlisting again, he joined C Squadron, No. 2 Royal Flying Corps Cadet Wing on 14 May 1917. With 20 Squadron in the summer of 1918, Smith scored six victories flying the Bristol Fighter. Shot down by Jasta 56 on 14 August 1918, Smith was killed but his observer, John Hills, survived and was captured.

Victories
Date Time Unit Aircraft Opponent Location
1 09 May 1918 1650 20 Bristol F.2b 1 Fokker DR.I (DES) SW of Merris
2 16 Jun 1918 1915 20 Bristol F.2b (C859) 1 Pfalz D.III (DES) S of Comines
3 02 Jul 1918 0845 20 Bristol F.2b (C859) 2 Pfalz D.III (OOC) SW of Ypres
4 25 Jul 1918 0850 20 Bristol F.2b (C4672) 2 Fokker D.VII (DES) Comines Canal
5 25 Jul 1918 0850 20 Bristol F.2b (C4672) 2 Fokker D.VII (DESF) 3 Comines Canal
6 25 Jul 1918 0855 20 Bristol F.2b (C4672) 2 Fokker D.VII (DESF) Comines Canal

Information supplied by Gary Thomson, additional information courtesy of theaerodrome.com

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