FLTLT Francis Owen Smith

[spidge]

Originally Posted by Nostalgair

Hi All,

I thought it might be appropriate to post this image as well.

The crew of 100 SQN RAAF Beaufort A9-557. L to R; Flying Officer John Shipman, Flight Lieutenant Harry John "Jack" Fowler (Pilot), Flight Lieutenant 'Frank' Owen Smith and Flying Officer Geoff Waite.

This crew was lost on operations 13th March 1945.

Attachment 1378

Cheers,

Owen

By the way Owen, how many deaths do you have for 100sq RAAF?

[Nostalgair]

Hi Spidge,

At first glance, I have 115 aircrew and 6 ground crew losses for 100 Squadron RAAF.

Also, are you cataloguing aircrew lost in training within Australia? I visit rural airfields that were used for wartime training from time to time. eg Temora.

Regards,

Owen

[Antipodean Andy]

He's doing everyone!

Who's the other guy you mention in your first post in this thread, Owen?

[spidge]

Originally Posted by Nostalgair

Hi Spidge,

At first glance, I have 115 aircrew and 6 ground crew losses for 100 Squadron RAAF.

Also, are you cataloguing aircrew lost in training within Australia? I visit rural airfields that were used for wartime training from time to time. eg Temora.

Regards,

Owen

As Andy states, I am doing "all" RAAF deaths from 1939 to December 31st 1945. The CWGC goes to 1947.

I just went through and double checked that I didn't have any 100sq RAF mixed up and came up with 145 for 100sq RAAF.

The postings at death were an after thought, so I had to go back to the Roll of Honour and go through them one by one. If you ever meet me, I am the crossed eyed one!

I have just achieved another 193 deaths of those who joined the RAF, RCAF & SAAF.

THere are still another 100 to catalogue and then another spreadsheet sort is required.

With this other 193, the

Total is now 11,028 in

1066+ cemeteries (so far, some of that extra 193 are in another 13 cemeteries)

in 65 countries.

[spidge]

Originally Posted by Nostalgair

Hi Spidge,
Also, are you cataloguing aircrew lost in training within Australia? I visit rural airfields that were used for wartime training from time to time. eg Temora.

Regards,

Owen

There are thirteen deaths recorded at Temora. All part of 10 EFTS.

Altogether in Australia, there are 2,369 deaths in 214 separate Cemeteries or Memorials.

We will have to write a book together.

Much of this interest stemmed from the time I was on Tarawa (Kiribati) in 1993 when some young US Air Force cadets stated during a discussion on WW2:

Australia, they weren't even in WW2 were they?

[Nostalgair]

Hi Andy,

The other chap is Bob Eggins.

He is another family friend and was lost on Lancaster operations in March 1945.

Cheers,

Owen

[Antipodean Andy]

Thanks Owen.

Spidge, what's the count up to for burials in Australia? How many have you got so far?

[spidge]

Altogether in Australia, there are 2,369 deaths in 214 separate Cemeteries or Memorials.

Would you believe 2,000 to go!

NSW - 800
NT - 360
Qld - 380
SA - 140
Tas - 22
Vic - 200 to go
WA - 17 to go

Really big job ahead....................

As an example, 120 of Victoria is at Springvale in Melbourne. Just need a day to get there and get it done. The rest are spread around country cemeteries.

[Antipodean Andy]

Well, make that 379 in Qld! Will send tonight. Will arrange for the one (?) in Clermont to be done - just sent my sister an email. I know there's some in Mackay as well. Any in Emerald? Haven't got the Qld list handy as it's at home.

I thought I had 64ish to go in WA as there's 35+ in Geraldton etc? Have you been a hussy and used another West Aussie?!

Have had an email re Norway as well but have to reply to it before sending on to you. Apparently there is a national day in May where flowers are put on such graves so Tom would like to wait to take the pics then.

[Nostalgair]

I might be able to help out with Mackay. Let me know where you think the chaps are laid to rest.

As for Singapore, I was there every couple of months up until recently; not now though unfortunately.

I'll keep you posted.

Cheers

Owen