Roll of Honour

Flying Officer

John Duncan Smith

Flying Officer John Duncan Smith was born in Greenock on 11th July 1921, the son of Agnes T Smith and Duncan Hill Smith, a plumber.

Memorial chapel at the University of Glasgow
The Memorial Chapel at the University of Glasgow

He attended Greenock High School before enrolling at the University in 1940 to study for an MA with Honours in History. In session 1940-41, John took classes in History, Scottish History, and English, and in session 1941-42 he took classes in History (Higher) and Logic.

While still a student John enlisted in the RAF and was placed on deferred service. He did not return to the University after session 1941-42.

John was part of 207 Squadron and was based at RAF Spilsby in Lincolnshire. On the 21 March 1945 he was serving as a navigator on a Lancaster Bomber which was lost without trace while on a mission. He was 23 years old.

John is commemorated at the Runnymede Memorial in Surrey, England.