Operations Begin
After extensive training as a Flight Engineer, Sgt. "Jock" Smith joined his future crew at No. 1659.
Smith as with many F/E who served with 419 was a member of the RAF.
Born in Paisley Scotland in May of 1918.( That information on his DFC documents is incorrect)
He enlisted with the RAF in 1939 where his training began.
Along with his fellow airmen of the F/L Harry Cave crew Sgt. Smith was posted to 419 Squadron. They arrived at
Middleton St. George on September 18 1944. Sgt. Smith began his first sortie on October 4th 1944 with an Op.
to Bergen.
The Crew as Listed on arrival at MSG
F/L Harry Cave - Pilot
P/O Marvin E. Seale -Navigator
P/O Joe J. Ramsperger -Bomb Aimer
WO Eddie Jones- WAG
Sgt. Walter "Jock" V. Smith - F/E
Sgt. Nick Horychka - Air Gunner
Sgt. Dave Stevenson - Air Gunner
As Sergeant and later P/O Smith, he spent most of his 30 Ops. on sorties over Germany. One exception was on
October 16th he along with the crew
flew as part of what is listed as a "Sea Sweep" to check out the port facilities along the European coast.
No further information can be found on that sortie or its results.
During a raid on Munster on the night of November 18th 1944 KB779 code letter VR-B lost the starboard outer engine.
The engine had feathered itself over the target. The Squadron Engineering Officer was taking the place of
Jock Smith who reported ill.
Smith flew on a number of different Lancaster aircraft. Most often on Lancasters with the squadron code of VR-B.
From November 2nd to February 13th the crew flew serial number KB779 as Lancaster VR-B. Then from December 15th to
mid-February VR-B was allocated to KB721. KB779 and all her crew were lost on the night of December 6/7 1944.
Lancaster KB721 replaced KB779 as VR-B about December 15th. KB721 originally had a nose art representation of a
comic book character named Brick Bradford which can be seen on the photos of both the aircraft and the dispersal hut the ground
crew used. Later KB721 became Linden Rose flow by F/O "Smitty" Smith. KB721 was returned to Canada in June of 1945.
He was Commissioned with the rank of Pilot Officer in December of 1944, and completed his career in the RAF with the rank
of Flying Officer.
He received his DFC while with 419 Squadron.
DFC Citation
F/O Walter Victor (RAF 189029) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No.419 Squadron - awarded as per London Gazette
dated 16 November 1945. (Born 1919 at Oakengate, Shropshire; home in Bilbrook, Wolverhampton. all incorrect) Enlisted September
1939; commissioned October 1944. Air Ministry Bulletin 20218/AL.1104 refers.
This officer has completed numerous operations against the enemy in the course of which he has invariably displayed the utmost fortitude, courage and devotion to duty.
NOTE: DHist file 181.009 D.1941 (RG.24 Vol.20612) has recommendation by W/C M.E. Ferguson dated 22 May 1945 when he had flown 30 sorties (208 hours 40 minutes), 4 October 1944 to 25 March 1945.
Pilot Officer Smith has completed a tour of 30 operational sorties against Germany's most heavily defended areas. He is an exceptional Flight Engineer and has at all times throughout his tour shown a high degree of skill and courage and has flown as spare Engineer on numerous occasions with the greatest eagerness.
I consider that this officer's conscientious and undaunted spirit whilst on operations fully merits the award of the non-immediate Distinguished Flying Cross.
