Biographical Data

Smith, Frank Willard

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Title Flight Sub-Lieutenant (RNAS)
Official Number
 
Birth 15/08/1897 Death 13/06/1917
Place Philipsburg Place (nk)
Area ON Area (nk)
Country Canada Country (nk)
 
Titles
Honours DSC. Commandeur de l'Orde de la Couronne (Belgium). Croix de Guerre (Belgium).
Awards
Qualifications
 
Biography
He was educated in St.Louis, Missouri, 1904-1907, New York City 1907-1909, Toronto 1910-1914. He was an automobile salesman at the time of his recruitment. He was accepted as RNAS candidate 27/01/1916 on proviso that he obtain a pilot's certificate. He attended the Thomas Flying School at St. Augustine, Florida but on the failure of the school he joined Curtiss Flying School at Newport News VA he was awarded ACA Certificate #521 on 05/07/1916.
 
Military Service
He was appointed as a Probationary Flight Sub-Lieutenant RNAS (With seniority dated 29/06/1916) in Ottawa ON. He was awarded Royal Aero Club Certificate 3998 dated 11/12/1916. (He was killed in action 13 June 1917 while in #4 (Naval) Squadron #4 Wing). (He was credited with 16 victories.)
 
Vessels Owned
Aircraft Flown
Named Features
 
Anecdotes
While attending Flying School in St. Augustine, Florida, Smith accidentally stepped into a revolving propellor and received near-fatal head injuries. However he completed his training at the Curtiss Flying School in Newport News, Virginia, qualifying as a pilot on 29 June 1916.
 
References
http://airforce.ca/uploads/airforce/2009/07/gong-8s-t.html; Hiorth, D. (1995); Blatherwick, John (1992); Grant, Scottie & Bob Murray (nd); MacFarlane, John and Robbie Hughes (1997);
Last update
2011-01-16 00:00:00

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