James Robert Smith (aviator)
Encyclopedia
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.
, 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.
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.
Flying ace
A flying ace or fighter ace is a military aviator credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft during aerial combat. The actual number of aerial victories required to officially qualify as an "ace" has varied, but is usually considered to be five or more...
credited with five aerial victories.
Early life
Smith was Scots born, but emigrated to Prince EdwardPrince Edward
-People:* Edward, the Black Prince , eldest son of King Edward III and father of King Richard II* Edward of Westminster, Prince of Wales , son of King Henry VI of England and Margaret of Anjou...
, 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
Regina, Saskatchewan
Regina is the capital city of the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. The city is the second-largest in the province and a cultural and commercial centre for southern Saskatchewan. It is governed by Regina City Council. Regina is the cathedral city of the Roman Catholic and Romanian Orthodox...
, 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
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
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.IIAlbatros D.II
|-See also:...
out of control over Vélu
Vélu
Vélu is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France.-Geography:Vélu is situated some southeast of Arras, at the junction of the D18 and the D18E roads.-Population:-Places of interest:...
, 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.