Smith, Mervyn Charles Bruce (Sergeant)
Killed in Flying Accident 1943-October-16
Birth Date: 1923-May-13
Born: Uralla, New South Wales, Australia
Parents: Son of Charles and Florence Isobel Smith, of Bundarra, New South Wales, Australia
Spouse: Husband of Iris Olive Smith, of Calgary, Alberta
Home: Bundarra, New South Wales, Australia
Enlistment:
Enlistment Date: 1942-June-20
Service
RAAF
Unit
32 (OT) OTU- Operational Training Unit (RAF)
Base
Patricia Bay, British Columbia, Canada
Rank
Sergeant
Position
Wireless Operator/Air Gunner
Service Numbers
423098
Bundarra, New South Wales, Australia
SMITH Mervyn Charles 423098 I Aviation Heritage Museum
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Finadagrave.comCrew or Other Personnel
Hampden AN132
Accident Card - Handley Page Hampden Mk. I serial:AN132
This accident involved 1 aircraft on 1943-October-16. Hampden s/n AN132.
This accident involved 4 people. Allcorn RF, Hornbrook PF, Porter RRG, Smith MCB
This accident had 4 fatalities. Sergeant Mervyn Charles Bruce Smith RAAF Killed in Flying Accident service no:423098 Hampden AN132, Pilot Officer Raymond Robert George Porter RAAF Killed in Flying Accident service no:21526 Hampden AN132, Sergeant Ronald Frank Allcorn RAFVR Killed in Flying Accident service no:1318169 Hampden AN132, Sergeant Peter Francis Hornbrook RAFVR Killed in Flying Accident service no:1586682 Hampden AN132
Unit Desciption
32 (OT) OTU (32 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 Patricia Bay, British Columbia can be found at:
RCAF.info - Patricia Bay, British Columbia
BC Aviation Museum Video On History Of Pat Bay
YouTube - Valour Canada Aerodrome of Democracy