Smith, James Robert

Smith was Scots born, but emigrated to Prince Edward, Saskatchewan, Canada in 1910. He worked there as a mechanical and electrical engineer until 1912. He returned to the United Kingdom after the outbreak of war in the latter months of 1914. Smith enlisted in the Canadian Engineers at the outbreak of war in November, 1914. On 1915-01-20, Smith went to Ottawa and volunteered for military service. After serving in France he transferred to the RFC. Once in, he served as an observer/gunner in the FE.2bs of 18 Squadron. He scored his first aerial victory on the day after Christmas 1916. On 1917-04-06, he scored his fifth victory. Five days later, a stomach wound suffered in action removed him from duty. He recovered to serve in three Home Defence Squadrons during 1918. On 1918-08-06, he injured his left eye. He came back from that wound to serve in 78 squadron. He returned to Canada in late 1919.