Smith, Earl George

Killed in Flying Accident 1943-07-26

Birth Date: unkown date

Born:

Son of George D. Smith, and of Martha C. Smith, of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, U.S.A.

Home:

Enlistment:

Enlistment Date: Unknown

Service

RAF

Unit

31 OTU- Operational Training Unit (RAF)

Base

Rank

Pilot Officer

Position

Pilot Officer

Service Numbers

Canadian Virtual War Memorial

This incident involved multiple aircraft:

  1. Hudson Mk. VI Serial: FK539

All the above aircraft in the above list are referenced in this report.

Hudson FK539

Sergeant L'Heureux, Joseph Maurice Claude (RCAF)
Wireless Air Gunner
Killed in Flying Accident
1943-July-26
Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Cemetery, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Sergeant Legroulx, Claude Oscar (RCAF)
Wireless Air Gunner
Killed in Flying Accident
1943-July-26
Sacred Heart Cemetery, Alexandria, Ontario, Canada

Warrant Officer 1st Class Macleod, Allan Allister (RCAF)
Wireless Air Gunner
Killed in Flying Accident
1943-July-26
Pinecrest Cemetery, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Male Head

Pilot Officer Parr, R J (RAF)

Killed in Flying Accident
1943-July-26
cemetery unknown

Pilot Officer Smith, Earl George (RAF)

Killed in Flying Accident
1943-July-26
cemetery unknown

Lockheed Hudson A-28 A-29 AT-18

Lockheed Hudson
Source National Air Force Museum of Canada.
lockheed_hudson.jpg image not found

The Lockheed Hudson was an American-built light bomber and coastal reconnaissance aircraft built initially for the Royal Air Force (RAF) shortly before the outbreak of the Second World War and primarily operated by the RAF thereafter. The Hudson served throughout the war, mainly with Coastal Command, but also in transport and training roles, as well as delivering agents into occupied France. They were also used extensively with the Royal Canadian Air Force's (RCAF) anti-submarine squadrons.National Air Force Museum of Canada.

YouTube Hudson

Wikipedia Wikipedia Hudson

General Harold A Skaarup Web Page

Kestrel Publications Hudon - Kestrel Publications

31 OTU (31 Operational Training Unit)

The Operational Training Unit (OTU) was the last stop for aircrew trainees. They spent 8 to 14 weeks learning to fly operational aircraft (Hawker Hurricane or Fairey Swordfish, e.g.). The instructors had experience in actual operations, and often were posted to OTUs after their operational tour.
More information on the RCAF Station at Debert, Nova Scotia can be found at

General History 31 OTU by Maj (Ret) G.D. Madigan

General Wall Of Honour NO31 OTU

Project 44 BCATP

General Project 44 BCATP

YouTube YouTube - Valour Canada Aerodrome of Democracy

Hudson FK539

Hudson Mk. VI FK539

Used by No. 31 OTU at Debert, NS. Cat "A" crash at Mabou, NS (on the west coast of Cape Breton Island) on 6 Aug 1943. The a/c was on a navigation exercise and went missing with a crew of five. Pilot Officer R.J. Parr (pilot), Pilot Officer H. Smith (nav), Flight Sergeant C.O. Legroulx (WAG), Flight Sergeant J.M.C. L'Heureux (WAG) and Warrant Officer Class 1 A.A. McLeod (Staff WAG) were all killed. To No. 4 Repair Depot on 7 Aug 1943, for salvage.

1942-09-29 Taken on Strength Eastern Air Command 2019-08-20
1943-July-26 Accident: 31 Operational Training Unit Loc: Mabou Mtnorth Cape Breton Names: L'heureux | Legroulx | McLeod | Parr | Smith
1943-11-04 Struck off Strength Struck off, reduced to spares and produce 2019-08-20