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Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Robert Alexander Smith

In memory of:

Flight Sergeant Robert Alexander Smith

November 4, 1944

Military Service

Service Number:

R/188247

Force:

Air Force

Unit:

Royal Canadian Air Force

Division:

226 (R.A.F.) Sqdn

Additional Information

Commemorated on Page 447 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance. Request a copy of this page. Download high resolution copy of this page.

Burial Information

Cemetery:

GROESBEEK CANADIAN WAR CEMETERY
Netherlands

Grave Reference:

XVII. A. 7.

Location:

Groesbeek is located 10 km south east of the town of Nijmegen and close to the German frontier. The Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery is 3 km north of the village and 1500 metres east of the main road to Nijmegen. On leaving the A73 motorway at the junction Overasselt Mook Groesbeek follow directions to Mook. Follow direction signs towards Mook War cemetery. After passing Mook War cemetery continue to the village of Groesbeek to a set of traffic lights. Turn left at the lights onto Dorpstraat passing through Groesbeek. The road name then changes to Molenweg. A Commonwealth War Graves Commission direction sign indicates the right hand turning from Molenweg onto the Zeven Heuvelenweg. The Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery is located on the right hand side, about 1 km after entering this road. On the Memorial in the Canadian War Cemetery at Groesbeek are inscribed the following words:
Pro amicis mortui amicis vivimus, We live in the hearts of friends for whom we died.

Information courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Digital Collection

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  • Grave marker– Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

    Details

    Grave marker
    Grave marker – Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Photo of ROBERT ALEXANDER SMITH– Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

    Details

    Photo of ROBERT ALEXANDER SMITH
    Photo of ROBERT ALEXANDER SMITH – Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Identification– Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

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    Identification
    Identification – Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Service Book– Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

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    Service Book
    Service Book – Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Photo of ROBERT ALEXANDER SMITH– Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

    Details

    Photo of ROBERT ALEXANDER SMITH
    Photo of ROBERT ALEXANDER SMITH – Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Letter of recommendation– Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

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    Letter of recommendation
    Letter of recommendation – Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Attestation paper– Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me

    Details

    Attestation paper
    Attestation paper – Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Group Photo– Robert Alexander Smith is wearing side cap on right, his cousin who is my grandfather Albert Stanley Picken is on the left. Details of death: KIA Nov 4 1944 #226 Squadron Bombing a bridge at Venio Holland, hit by flak at the Starboard Engine at 10,000 feet. Pilot made a belly landing at Volkel Holland. Narrative: At Volkel, Typhoon pilots of 245 squadron waiting to enter the runway for takeoff, were horrified to see 2 crew attempt to bail out of a crippled Mitchell (FW 163) shortly before it touched down, both fell in the undershoot area and were killed instantly. the Mitchell which had been hit by flak while attacking the road and bridge area at Venlo ( a particularily stubborn target) crash landed, the pilot and navigator survived. Crew: 15:45 226 sqn Mitchell FW 163 Y Sgt H.J. Lorkin Sgt N. Semple F/S T.V. Flint (K) F/S R.A. Smith (K)

    Details

    Group Photo
    Group Photo – Robert Alexander Smith is wearing side cap on right, his cousin who is my grandfather Albert Stanley Picken is on the left. Details of death: KIA Nov 4 1944 #226 Squadron Bombing a bridge at Venio Holland, hit by flak at the Starboard Engine at 10,000 feet. Pilot made a belly landing at Volkel Holland. Narrative: At Volkel, Typhoon pilots of 245 squadron waiting to enter the runway for takeoff, were horrified to see 2 crew attempt to bail out of a crippled Mitchell (FW 163) shortly before it touched down, both fell in the undershoot area and were killed instantly. the Mitchell which had been hit by flak while attacking the road and bridge area at Venlo ( a particularily stubborn target) crash landed, the pilot and navigator survived. Crew: 15:45 226 sqn Mitchell FW 163 Y Sgt H.J. Lorkin Sgt N. Semple F/S T.V. Flint (K) F/S R.A. Smith (K)
  • Photo of ROBERT ALEXANDER SMITH– Memorialized on the pages of the Globe and Mail. Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

    Details

    Photo of ROBERT ALEXANDER SMITH
    Photo of ROBERT ALEXANDER SMITH – Memorialized on the pages of the Globe and Mail. Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
  • Newspaper clipping– Memorialized on the pages of the Globe and Mail. Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me

    Details

    Newspaper clipping
    Newspaper clipping – Memorialized on the pages of the Globe and Mail. Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
  • Document– This is a diagram showing where Robert was first buried before Groesbeek.

    Details

    Document
    Document – This is a diagram showing where Robert was first buried before Groesbeek.
  • Grave Marker– This is a photo of Robert's gravesite in Groesbeek cemetry in Holland.

    Details

    Grave Marker
    Grave Marker – This is a photo of Robert's gravesite in Groesbeek cemetry in Holland.

Learn more about the Canadian Virtual War Memorial

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