Walter J SMITH, DFM, DFC

Flying Officer

RAF

Derby Daily Telegraph 19 December 1945

photo Walter Smith WW2 RAF

In 1945 Flying Officer Walter Smith was awarded the DFC to complement his DFM

Ripley and Heanor News and Ilkeston Division Free Press; 28 December 1945
CRICH OFFICER AWADED D.F.C.
Flying Officer Walter J Smith of “The Croft”, Crich, who hold the DFM, and has been mentioned in dispatches has now been awarded the DFC. His wife believes that it is for his work on special missions, which included the transporting of agents to the Continent.
F/O Smith, who has completed two tours of operations, joined the RAF in 1939. During the Battle of Britain he was “mentioned” for his devotion to duty whilst servicing Sunderland flying boats. In 1942 he volunteered for aircrew, and passed out as flight engineer.
During his first tour of operations his conspicuous gallantry whilst his Lancaster was reduced to flying on one engine, after being badly damaged on a raid, earned him the DFM.
After a period of instructional work he began his second tour early last year, was commissioned later, and completed the tour in February this year.

Derby Daily Telegraph; 19 December 1945
D.F.C. After Secret Air Missions
Flying Officer Walter J Smith of “The Croft”, Crich, who hold the DFM, and has been mentioned in dispatches has now been awarded the DFC. His wife believes that it is for his work on special missions, which included the transporting of agents to the Continent.
F/O Smith, who has completed two tours of operations, joined the RAF in 1939. During the Battle of Britain he was “mentioned” for his devotion to duty whilst servicing Sunderland flying boats. In 1942 he volunteered for aircrew, and passed out as flight engineer.
IN CRIPPLED BOMBER
During his first tour of operations his conspicuous gallantry whilst his Lancaster was reduced to flying on one engine, after being badly damaged on a raid, earned him the DFM.
After a period of instructional work he began his second tour early last year, was commissioned later, and completed the tour in February this year.

Derby Daily Telegraph; 29 May 1945
SMITH–WILSON
The engagement is announced between Flying Officer Walter J Smith DFM, of Walesby Newark, and Irene Wilson of "The Croft", Crich

Derbyshire Times and Chesterfield Herald; 1 June 1945
SMITH–WILSON
The engagement is announced between F/O Walter J Smith DFM, son of Mr. and Mrs. E Smith, Walesby Newark, and Mrs Irene Wilson, daughter of Mr, and Mrs. S Wright, "The Croft", Crich

Walter J SMITH was born Q1 of 1923 in the Registration Distirct of Newark
He married Constance Irene Wilson in Q3 of 1945 in the Registration District of Belper