Captain Ross Macpherson Smith

Service number 217
Ranks Held Captain, Lieutenant, Sergeant
Birth Date 04/12/1892
Birth Place Australia: South Australia, Adelaide
Death Date 13/04/1922
Death Place United Kingdom: England
Final Rank Captain
Service Australian Imperial Force
Units
  • Australian Flying Corps
  • Australian Flying Corps
  • Australian Flying Corps
  • Australian Flying Corps
Places
Conflict/Operation First World War, 1914-1918
Description

Ross Smith had served in the cadets and the militia before he left Australia as a sergeant in the 3rd Light Horse Regiment in October 1914; he went to Gallipoli the following year. He was later commissioned and was at the battle of Romani (in the Sinai) in August 1916. The next year he volunteered for the Australian Flying Corps.

Flying with No. 1 Squadron AFC, Smith took part in attacks, aerial photography missions, and bombing raids on Turkish forces. On one occasion he landed in the face of the enemy to rescue a downed comrade. During his extensive war service he was awarded the Air Force Cross, twice awarded the Military Cross, and received the Distinguished Flying Cross three times.

A gifted flyer, Smith became experienced in flying his squadron's twin-engined Handley Page 0/400 bomber. On occasion, Lawrence of Arabia was his passenger. While still with the flying corps, he made pioneering flights from Cairo to Calcutta, and from Calcutta to Timor.

On 12 November 1919, assisted by his brother Keith and two mechanics, Wally Shiers and Jim Bennett, he set out to fly from England to Australia in a large Vickers Vimy bomber. It was an epic 28-day flight, completed at an average speed of 137 kilometres per hour, but not without mishap. On their arrival, the pioneering flyers were welcomed home as national heroes; their £10,000 prize money was shared equally. The two brothers were knighted.

In April 1922, while preparing for a record-breaking around the world flight, Smith and Bennett were killed in a crash. Keith Smith witnessed the death of his brother, who was not yet 30. Their famous Vimy aircraft was displayed at the Australian War Memorial, but is now in the Smiths' home town, Adelaide.

Rolls

Timeline

Date of birth 04/12/1892
Date of embarkation 22/10/1914
Other units 1914 3rd Light Horse Regiment
Date of enlistment 19/08/1914
Date and unit at appointment (Officers) 09/08/1914 3rd Light Horse Regiment.
Date of honour or award 11/05/1917 Military Cross.
Other units 1917 1 Squadron AFC
Date of recommendation honour or award 22/10/1918
Date of recommendation honour or award 1918
Date of honour or award 26/03/1918 Bar to Military Cross.
Date of honour or award 08/02/1919 2nd Bar to Distinguished Flying Cross
Date of honour or award 08/02/1919 Distinguished Flying Cross.
Date of honour or award 26/12/1919 Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire.
Date of honour or award 08/02/1919 Bar to Distinguished Flying Cross.
Date returned to Australia 12/11/1919
Other 12/11/1919 Set out on the 28 day flight from England to Australia.
Date of honour or award 03/06/1919 Air Force Cross.
Date of honour or award 01/04/1920 Hejaz Order of the Nahda - 4th Class.
Date of death 13/04/1922