Celebrating the life of one of the last Dambusters, Rowland Smith
A CELEBRATION marking the life of one of the last Dambusters will be held – as the squadron marks the 70th anniversary of its most daring mission.
The funeral of 93-year-old Warrant Officer Rowland Smith, known as Ron, will take place on Monday, March 25.
WO Smith, who was born in Cleethorpes in 1920, was 19 when he joined the Air Force and given a most dangerous role – the rear gunner, a "tail end charlie".
He flew in more than 75 operational flights, the Battle of Britain and, after joining 617 Squadron, with the Dambusters from January 1944 to August 1944.
MAYFAIR ESTATE AGENTS
IF WE CANNOT FIND YOU A TENANT WITHIN ONE MONTH WE WILL FIND YOU ONE FOR FREE, YES FREE, YOU WILL PAY NO FEES.
Terms: TERMS & CONDITIONS APPLY.
Contact: 01472 355 553
Valid until: Sunday, May 26 2013
His devotion to duty and fortitude also saw him receive the Distinguished Flying Cross.
The fourth son of Mr and Mrs J Smith, of Kew Road, he was educated at Thrunscoe School and worked at the Crown Wallpaper stores.
After training at Grimsby Airport, WO Smith began his RAF career flying in Wellington Bombers, the body of which were made of nothing more than wood and fabric.
Nephew Peter Pounds, who inherited his uncle's life-long love of cycling and dry sense of humour, said: "Usually, on the way back from raids, the rear gunner would rejoin the rest of the crew in the cockpit.
"However, on one particular mission, the Captain told him there were so many holes in the fuselage, he had better stay where he was or he was likely to fall through!"
He had a lucky escape when a piece of shrapnel from flack artillery pierced the rear gun turret, ricocheting around the confined space.
WO Smith escaped with nothing more than a graze to his cheek and a cut glove.
He also flew in Lancaster bombers before leading training sessions with 9 Squadron for 18 months.
In January 1943, he married his beloved wife, the late Evelyn Hunt, of Freeston Street, Cleethorpes. He turned down a full-time post as an instructor and returned to live operations.
THE BATTLE FOR BRITAIN
This saw him handling infamous ten-tonne bombs, conducting raids on chief targets in Germany and the Baltic experimental station at Peenemunde.
Peter said: "The bombs were so large they wouldn't fit in the bays, so they hung from the bottom of the planes.
"Ron used to say the plane went up 100ft when deployed."
After the war, the couple settled in Hadfield, near Glossop, where WO Smith took up a post at Lancashire Chemicals.
He remained there for 45 years, retiring at 68, allowing the couple to devote more time to cycling and holidaying on the Welsh coast.
Funeral details
WO Smith's funeral will take place on Monday, March 25, from 1pm at Grimsby Crematorium. Family flowers only, but donations in lieu can be made to the RAF benevolent fund, via Mashfords Funeral Directors.
Editor's Opinion
THE bravery of the Dambusters squadron is legendary.
The 617 Squadron was formed under great secrecy at RAF Scampton during the Second World War in 1943 for the specific task of attacking three major dams on the Ruhr in Germany: the Möhne, Eder and Sorpe.
The plan was given the codename Operation Chastise and was carried out on May 17, 1943, using Barnes Wallis’ bouncing bomb.
Given the Hollywood treatment in 1955, starring Richard Todd as the squadron’s famous commander Guy Gibson, it’s easy to think about such times as “black and white” with handsome actors.
But the real war heroes are people like Warrant Officer Rowland Smith, who we pay tribute to today.
Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the 93-year-old was just 19 when he was called up and joined the Air Force, where he was given the dangerous role of rear gunner, taking part in 75 operational flights, including the Battle of Britain.
During the Second World War, 617 Squadron carried out 1,599 operational sorties with the loss of 32 aircraft.
WO Smith was one of the lucky ones, but he spent much of the war in live operations, and that commitment to king and country should never be forgotten.
11 Comments
View all
by lairdmike
Sunday, March 17 2013, 8:08PM
“Ron was my uncle. I am proud to be one of his nephews. Heroes like him laid down their lives to give us freedom. The government is giving away this country foreigners. What did heroes like Ron fight for? Yes our freedom. The government are an insult to our war heroes. Their lives have been wasted because the government are giving away our country.”
by lairdmike
Sunday, March 17 2013, 8:07PM
“Ron was my uncle. I am proud to be one of his nephews. Heroes like him laid down their lives to give us freedom. The government is giving away this country foreigners. What did heroes like Ron fight for? Yes our freedom. The government are an insult to our war heroes. Their lives have been wasted because the government are giving away our country. See how many foreign companies are in Britain.”
by lairdmike
Sunday, March 17 2013, 8:07PM
“Ron was my uncle. I am proud to be one of his nephews. Heroes like him laid down their lives to give us freedom. The government is giving away this country foreigners. What did heroes like Ron fight for? Yes our freedom. The government are an insult to our war heroes. Their lives have been wasted because the government are giving away our country. See how many foreign companies are in Britain. We import just about everything.”
by kittycloe
Sunday, March 17 2013, 8:36AM
“Rest in peace your duty is done ......Thank You
From a proud son of another BOMBER BOY”
by remesoldier
Saturday, March 16 2013, 7:11PM
“To davidmantle -
It's true that we read and see too many stories of people with no moral standards (well certainly not what I see as decent moral standards) on the news each day. Are we in a broken society? I'm not sure we are - I just wish the good, hardworking majority would stand up (and stop being so silent!).
By the way - great to see you're ex REME - Arte Et Marte!”
by davidmantle
Saturday, March 16 2013, 6:59PM
“I served in R.E.M.E. - stationed in Bordon in the 1970s - but the point being most of today's youth would rather walk away than stand and be counted. Not all of the youth are prepared to show courage but most show their true colour. Those who serve I salute but those who hide I abhor.”
by remesoldier
Saturday, March 16 2013, 6:11PM
“To davidmantle - I disagree with some of your post.
It cannot be denied that WO Ron Smith was a true hero, his bravery proven in a world war but many young men and women in today's society join the armed forces and serve our country with incredible fortitude.
You only need to look at the news today - one very young man who made the ultimate sacrifice for his comrades and awarded a VC. What more proof do you need?
I feel qualified to comment as I've had the privilege to serve in the army for 35 years so far - I see the youth of today and many are every bit as good as any that have gone before.”
by davidmantle
Saturday, March 16 2013, 5:50PM
“AfricanMeggy - you ask " Could we find young men of this ilk nowadays?"
I say NO - modern youth hide behind faceless masks and will not stand up and be identified , or be counted.
If we had to rely upon today's youth we will have lost before we start. Hitler would have made us all speak German and those who followed him would have destroyed free speech worldwide whether we like it or not. It is this freedom that allows today's youth to be the ar#seholes that they are.
I was in the Army in the `70s and lost some good friends to terrorist activities and dread to think if today's youth have the guts or character to stand up and be counted - to quote a phrase . Somehow I doubt it. If we had to depend upon today`s youth then I honestly believe we would be shackled as slaves.
It is the bravery of those who gave their lives that give the freedom that certain people abuse and they do not appreciate the freedom they have because of this sacrifice.
Because of the sacrifices of those who believed in values to stand for we have freedom. I just wish that some would appreciate the sacrifice of others.,”
by AfricanMeggy
Saturday, March 16 2013, 3:34PM
“He must have been terrified every time he entered that perspex bubble! That is what you call a "REAL" hero. It was such a dangerous job! It was so easy for a Messerschmitt to shoot up the plastic bubble.We owe so much to people like this many of them teenagers.My Dad lied and joined up at 14 years of age to be a wireless operator/air gunner on Lancasters. Could we find young men of this ilk nowadays?”
by davidmantle
Saturday, March 16 2013, 2:14PM
“Men like this make me proud to be British. God rest his soul and may he rest in peace.”