John Harold Smith, WW II Veteran, Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), Warrant Officer 2nd Class (WO2), R 96679, RCAF 500 Sqn

1922 - 1943  (~ 21 years)

• Name	John Harold Smith
  Suffix	WW II Veteran, Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), Warrant Officer 2nd Class (WO2), R 96679, RCAF 500 Sqn
  Born	Tue 11 Jul 1922	Windsor, Essex County, Ontario, Canada
  Gender	Male
  Died	Fri 3 Sep 1943	Malta Memorial Cemetery, Panel 11, Col 1, Grave Memorial # 15271413 International War Graves, Valetta, Malta
  Person ID	I2135	Default
  Last Modified	3 Aug 2020

  
  

  Father	John Adam Smith,   b. 18 Mar 1889,   d. 1964  (Age 74 years)
  Mother	Clarissa Mary Etue,   b. 17 Sep 1891, Grand Bend, Lambton County, Ontario, Canada ,   d. 22 Nov 1969  (Age 78 years)
  Married	30 Jun 1913	St. Boniface RC Church, Zurich, Huron County, Ontario, Canada
  Notes	Witnesses to John Smith and Clarissa Etue's wedding were Joseph Smith and Georgina Etue (later to become Sister M. Bernice SCJ)sister of the bride. John Adam Smith and Clarissa Mary Etue had three sons who served their country in World War II: Leading Aircraftsman (LAC) Clarence John Smith, Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), stationed at RCAF Station Centralia near Exeter, Ontario, Canada. Lance Corporal (L/Cpl)Wellan Anthony Smith Highland Light Infantry of Canada RCIC served overseas, Killed in Action in the battle to capture Caen, he died near Caen, France and Warrant Officer 2nd Class (WO2)John Harold Smith Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) died in the Mediterranean area
  Family ID	F668	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Event Map		Born - Tue 11 Jul 1922 - Windsor, Essex County, Ontario, Canada  = Link to Google Earth
  Pin Legend	: Address       : Location       : City/Town       : County/Shire       : State/Province       : Country       : Not Set

  
  

• Photos » Slide Show		United States Army Air Force (USAAF) Lockheed A29 Hudson aircraft pictured was similar to the Hudson A29 flown by Royal Air Force 500 Squadron between May 1943 to Jan 1944. WO2 John Harold Smith Royal Canadian Air Force(RCAF) was serving with Royal Air Force(RAF)500 Squadron at the time of his death 3 Sep 1943, flying out of RAF Tafraoui Airport, Oran Province, Algeria into the western part of the Mediterrain Sea and North Africa. As a Warrant Officer 2nd Class (WO2) John may have piloted the Lockheed Hudson A29 aircraft. Many RCAF pilots served with the RAF Squadrons during WW II. Many RAF, RCAF and other Commonwealth countries pilots were trained across Canada under the British Air Commonwealth Training Plan (BCATP).
  		1939-1945 Star The Star was awarded for six months service on active operations for Army and Navy, and two months for active air-crew between 02 September 1939 and 08 May 1945 (Europe) or 02 September 1945 (Pacific). Battle of Britain: This bar was awarded to those members of the crews of fighter aircraft who took part in the Battle of Britain between 10 July and 31 October 1940. The ribbon consists of three equal stripes: dark blue, red, and light blue (representing the navy, army and air force).
  		Air Crew Star awarded to military aircrew service overseas during WW II. The Star was awarded for two months of operational flying from the UK over Europe between 03 September 1939 and 05 June 1944. It was not awarded after D-Day. The Air Crew Europe Star may not be awarded until the 1939-1945 Star has been qualified for by 60 days service in an air operational unit. The total requirement to earn both stars is four months (120 days).
  		France and Germany Star awarded for military service overseas during WW II. The Star was awarded for one day or more of service in France, Belgium, Holland or Germany between June 06, 1944 (D-Day) and May 08, 1945.
  		War Medal 1939-1945 with oak leaf. awarded for military service overseas during WW II. The Star was awarded for six months service on active operations for Army and Navy, and two months for active air-crew between 02 September 1939 and 08 May 1945 (Europe) or 02 September 1945 (Pacific).
  		Defence Medal WW II
  		Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Clasp awarded for military service overseas during WW II. The Canadian Volunteer Service Medal is granted to persons of any rank in the Naval, Military or Air Forces of Canada who voluntarily served on Active Service and have honourably completed eighteen months (540 days)(18 mths) total voluntary service from September 3, 1939 to March 1, 1947.

  
  

  Headstones		Malta Memorial, Valetta, Malta - Warrant Officer 2nd Class (WO2) John Harold SMITH RCAF. John Harold Smith is listed on 1943 - Panel 11, Column 1 Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) son of John Adam Smith & Clarissa Mary Etue
  		Malta Memorial, Valetta, Malta - WO II John Harold SMITH RCAF Warrant Officer II Class John Harold Smith RCAF R/96679, died in action 03/09/1943, is listed under 1943 on Panel 11, Column 1 of the Malta Memorial in Valetta, Malta. Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Per Ardua Ad Astra (through adversity to the Stars). Son of John Adam Smith & Clarissa Mary Etue

  
  

• Notes

  The Government of Canada, Book of Remembrance, Parliament Hill, Ottawa, ON under Year 1943 lists; WO2 John Harold Smith RCAF on Page 214. Library and Archives Canada www.collectionscanada.gc.ca Second World War Service Files: Canadian Armed Forces War Dead. Name: SMITH, JOHN HAROLD Date of Birth: 11 Jul 1922 Date of Death: 03 Sep 1943 Rank: Warrant Officer Class II (WO2) Unit: Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Force: Air Service Number: R96679 Reference: RG 24 Volume: 28678 Burial: Name listed Malta Memorial Cemetery, Valetta, Malta Panel 11, Column 1 International War graves Grave Memorial #15271413 Canadian War Graves Commission - Casualty Details Name: SMITH, JOHN HAROLD Initials: J H Nationality: Canadian Rank: Warrant Officer Class II Regiment/Service: Royal Canadian Air Force Unit Text: 500 Sqdn. (Royal Air Force Squadron) Date of Death: 03/09/1943 (03 Sep 1943) Service No: R/96679 Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 11, Column 1. Memorial: MALTA MEMORIAL (Cemetery, Valetta, Malta). John Harold Smith R/96679 is listed date of death 3 Sep 1943. PER ARDUA PER ASTRA (Through Adversity to the Stars). Please note that the Stars and Medals listed for WO2 John Harold Smith are those he probably would have been entitled to. However due to War time circumstances, some Stars and Medals may have not been presented. They may have been lost over the years as well. There maybe a possibility that these medals could be replaced, if requested by an immediate family member from Veterans Affairs. Your local Legion Services Officer may be a good place to start.