Smith, Fred Gordon
Personal Information
Rank | Sgt |
Forename(s) | Fred Gordon |
Surname | Smith |
Gender | M |
Age | 19 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 16-11-1944 |
Next of Kin | Son of Fred and Edith Smith, of Withernsea. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Handley Page Halifax II |
Serial Number | JP128 |
Markings | -P |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Withernsea (St. Nicholas) Churchyard |
Grave Reference | Grave 381. |
Epitaph | HE SOARED THE SKIES IN THE NIGHT AND FOUND A RAY OF HEAVENLY LIGHT |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 243 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 1593160 |
Service | Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve |
Group | 7 |
Squadron | 1663 HCU |
Trade | Flight Engineer |
Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
Miscellaneous Information
The impact with the farmhouse had killed three of the occupants and injured two others. It had also set light to stored fuel which was trapping many of the farm animals. Three civilians freed the animals from their pens, two of whom were decorated for their efforts. More details can be found in the book "Wings over York". |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 16-11-1944 |
End Date | 16-11-1944 |
Takeoff Station | Rufforth |
Day/Night Raid | Day |
Operation | Training- night cross-country exercise |
Reason for Loss | Patchy fog on return to base necessitated three attempts at landing. The fourth approach seemed perfect but the pilot veered off course at the last moment and crashed through a farmhouse, collided with a parked Halifax and ended up in a hangar where it burst into flames. Another Halifax, undergoing maintenance, was engulfed. |