RAAF pilot's remains found in France

[Journeyman]

RAAF pilot's remains found in France

Sergeant William James Smith, who was 24, was shot down on May 9, 1942 during a dogfight with German fighter aircraft.


RAAF pilot's remains found in France - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

[sebfrench76]

How moving are these personnal items!As i'm french,could you clarify this for me:the family requested privacy.Does it mean they don't want to hear this story,or ,does that mean they refuse medias to relay information?Thank you.

[Woolgar]

Good that he will get a heros burial at last ! Another brave young warrior laid to rest

Nick

[talltom]

good to know another hero has been found now he can rest in peace
thanks for sharing the link journey

[sandgroper]

How moving are these personnal items!As i'm french,could you clarify this for me:the family requested privacy.Does it mean they don't want to hear this story,or ,does that mean they refuse medias to relay information?Thank you.

It just means that his family don't want to be interviewed by the media over the discovery of his remains, I'm sure they are very proud of this man just as we all are of family who served in this conflict. 24 years old and a sergeant, he must have been an impressive young bloke who earnt the respect of those around him, I'm sure his family are very proud.

[Journeyman]

How moving are these personnal items!As i'm french,could you clarify this for me:the family requested privacy.Does it mean they don't want to hear this story,or ,does that mean they refuse medias to relay information?Thank you.

sebfrench76, as sandgroper said, all it means is that his family don't want to be interviewed by the media .
One thing Australians do know and take comfort in, is that the French people show honour and respect for our fallen in their country.
Cheers,
Jules

[Adrian Stevenson]

Thanks for posting this.

RIP Sgt Smith.

Cheers, Ade.

[sebfrench76]

Thank your for your "translations",it was a little difficult for me to clearly understand the real meaning of the sentence..
And i'm proud that my country is still honoring the memory of your boys.

[big ned]

Here's a squadron photo of 457 pilots taken in April 1942, perhaps only days before Sgt. Smith was killed. He can be seen in the back row, his head just behind the port exhauast stack. Just in front of him to his left, in the Mae West and dark flying overalls is his C.O., Squadron Leader (Later Air Commodore) Peter Brothers, a noted ace in the Battle Of Britain.

Regards, Ned.

[CARL]

Nice sentiments Ade. And Seb, it is good to hear you say that. All the fallen deserve our respect.

R.I.P. Sgt.W.J.Smith (one of the few, who can take his final resting place amongst his brothers in the sky).