SMITH, Francis Ryan
| Service Numbers: | 298, 424679, 3964 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 20 July 1915, Brisbane, Queensland |
| Last Rank: | Squadron Leader |
| Last Unit: | 3 Wing Air Training Corps (RAAF) |
| Born: | Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 23 July 1896 |
| Home Town: | Brisbane, Brisbane, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Bank clerk |
| Died: | Natural causes, Balmain, New South Wales, Australia, 24 December 1961, aged 65 years |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: | Ballarat Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 20 Jul 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 298, Brisbane, Queensland | |
|---|---|---|
| 9 Nov 1915: |
Involvement
AIF WW1, Sergeant, 298, 31st Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '16' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Wandilla embarkation_ship_number: A62 public_note: '' |
|
| 9 Nov 1915: | Embarked AIF WW1, Sergeant, 298, 31st Infantry Battalion, HMAT Wandilla, Melbourne | |
| 29 Jul 1916: | Promoted AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, 31st Infantry Battalion | |
| 26 Nov 1916: | Transferred Lieutenant, No. 2 Squadron, Australian Flying Corps | |
| 8 Aug 1918: | Involvement Lieutenant, 298, No. 2 Squadron, Australian Flying Corps, "The Last Hundred Days" | |
| 22 Oct 1918: | Promoted Captain, No. 2 Squadron, Australian Flying Corps | |
| 13 Jun 1919: | Discharged Captain, No. 2 Squadron, Australian Flying Corps |
World War 2 Service
| 2 Sep 1941: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Squadron Leader, 424679, Brisbane, Queensland | |
|---|---|---|
| 3 Sep 1941: | Involvement Royal Australian Air Force, 3964 | |
| 1 Jan 1944: | Discharged Royal Australian Air Force, Squadron Leader, 424679, 3 Wing Air Training Corps (RAAF) | |
| Date unknown: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Squadron Leader, 3964 |
Recommendation for the Distinguished Flying Cross
'This Officer combines high individual enterprise and determination with exceptionally able leadership. These qualities were conspicuous on 14th October, when, leading a patrol of five machines, he saw a formation of twelve Fokker biplanes above him. Relying on the cooperation of another higher formation of Bristol machines, he deliberately manoeuvred his formation into a disadvantageous position in order that our higher patrol might be able to attack the enemy while the latter's attention was concentrated upon destroying his, Lieutenant Smith's formation. The stratagem was entirely successful, with the result that two enemy machines were destroyed and two others were believed to crash. The Fokkers were than reinforced by eight more machines, and in the ensuing combat Lieutenant Smith shot down one in flames, his patrol destroying two others. We suffered no casualties.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 61
Date: 23 May 1919
Submitted 5 May 2015
Biography
Son of William Henry Smith and Bridget Teresa Ryan
Francis Ryan Smith MC, DFC was one of Australia's top scoring fighter aces in WW1, credited with 16 aerial victories.
Francis Ryan Smith worked as a bank officer with the Royal Bank in Brisbane. before joining the Australian Imperial Force on 20 July 1915 when he was appointed the rank of Sergeant on the strength of pre-war service in the militia. He served with distinction in the 31st Battalion.
By 1916 he had been commissioned and was awarded the Military Cross, for bravery under fire with the 31st Battalion.
The following year he transferred to the Australian Flying Corps for training, then joined No. 2 Squadron AFC as a pilot on 28 February 1918.
Piloting a SE.5a fighter aircraft, he began his victory string by destroying a German Pfalz D.III fighter on 9 May 1918, and continued until he ended it with a quadruple victory on 14 October 1918, when he destroyed three Fokker D.VIIs (by then the most capable and feared German fighter plane in the air) and another descended out of control. All of his victories bar three were over Fokker DVII aircraft.
By mid September 1918 he was a Flight leader and his squadron's leading ace. Additionally, he became the squadron's final casualty, being shot down on 10 November 1918. Although downed behind enemy lines, he evaded capture by donning civilian clothing and covering 40 miles back to his squadron in time to find his colleagues celebrating the announcement of the end of the war..
He returned to Australia on 6 May 1919. and was discharged the following month.
Francis Ryan Smith also served in WW2 as Squadron Leader
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