Sergeant John "Joey" Smith
(1455460)
Mid Upper Gunner
Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Initially I did not want to start researching a 'John Smith' as the odds would clearly be stacked against us when searching for such a popular name
But John's photo and some background details were the first we discovered.
The following detail has been given by Pete Daniels, a relative of John
John Joseph Smith was born much later and named to commemorate his two lost brothers. He was
born 18th December 1923, just 7 months before my father so as children they would play together.
They were once caught teasing Granny Smith’s (Joey’s Mother) chickens, she snuck up behind
them and banged their heads together, saying something to the effect of “that’ll teach you Bu**ers.
Strange to relate Father had no more tales about teasing chickens!
Joey was educated at Heighington School.
Joey, I believe joined the R.A.F reserves before joining the R.A.F proper. At the time I believe he
was working for Mr S. Haigh of Sincil street, Lincoln. At what I do not know, but gnawing away at
the back of mind, is the thought it was a clothes shop. (any info would be welcome)
Joey wanted to go to war proper but being under 21 he needed a parental signature which his
Mother refused to give, having lost two sons in the first war. However Father signed and Joey went
to war.
Joey was stationed at Wickenby and flew with the 103 Squadron also, but was with the 626
Squadron when killed on the 15th January 1944. Contrary to the newspaper report at the time we
believe he had just turned twenty.
He was part of a Lancaster 3 crew as a gunner when he was shot down by a night fighter near
Heiningen. He is buried in the Lower Saxony region of Germany near Seelze, Hannover.
Joey was awarded The 39-45 Star for Wounded or Killed, The Air Crew Europe Star and The
General Service Medal.
Though none of the decorations were for extreme bravery in the field, I would contend just being
there would suggest a high degree of courage.
​
This is the memrial plaque at Branston Booths which bears Joh Joseph Smith’s name, as well as this of his two brothers lost in WWI.
It was originally in the chapel in the village, but that is now a private house.
It was relocated to the new village hall (built 2002) which sits close to White House Farm. The farm I believe the family lived in.
There is a small ceremony every year to commemorate those named.
It is only 5 miles from Lincoln and the IBCC, so if anyone is ever this way please let me know and we’ll see if we can open the doors.
It can be seen through the main doors from the outside if necessary though.
This is the memorial plaque at Branston Booths which bears John Joseph Smith’s name, as well as this of his two brothers lost in WWI.
It was originally in the chapel in the village, but that is now a private house.
It was relocated to the new village hall (built 2002) which sits close to White House Farm. The farm I believe the family lived in.
There is a small ceremony every year to commemorate those named.
It is only 5 miles from Lincoln and the IBCC, so if anyone is ever this way please let me know and we’ll see if we can open the doors.
It can be seen through the main doors from the outside if necessary though.
The following is an interpretation of Joey's service record kindly produced by Richard James:
John Smith was born in Branston Booths, Lincolnshire on 18 December 1923. When he left school he became a shop assistant. At the age of 17 ½, he volunteered to join the RAF and on 8 August 1941 was assessed with an A1 medical category, so he was fit for aircrew. He enlisted on 14 August 1941 as an ‘Aircraft-hand’, in the rank of Aircraftsman Grade 2, with the RAF Service Number of 1465460. He was reported to be 5 feet 5 inches tall with a 32 inch chest, brown hair, brown eyes and had a fresh complexion. He attended No 19 Air Crew Selection Board and was assessed as fit for training as a Wireless Operator & Air Gunner. He was sent to No 3 Recruit Training Centre, Padgate on 1 January 1942, then No 10 (Signals) Recruit Training Centre, Blackpool a few days later, for Basic Military Training. Three months later he was sent to the Recruit Disposal Unit, then on 25 October 1942, back to the to the Air Crew Selection Board. After some well-earned Christmas leave, John was posted to No 3 Radio School, RAF Compton Bassett, Wiltshire, on 15 Jan 1943. This was the time when the Lancaster was coming into RAF service and every Lancaster needed two Air Gunners, so many Wireless Operator & Air Gunners were re-mustered to Air Gunners. John’s next posting was to the Elementary Air Gunners School at RAF Bridlington on 13 March 1943. John passed that course and was sent to No 7 Air Gunnery School at RAF Stormy Down on 17 April 1943. John joined No 18 Operational Training Unit (OTU) at RAF Bramcote, Warks, on 1 June 1943. At OTUs, over 100 aircrew were assembled in a large hangar and a Warrant Officer would address everyone with a loudspeaker. They were told to find a complete crew, then each crew were to report to the Sergeant at the exit door with their crew list. Pilots would take the lead and target the best Navigator they could find, then together they would look for a Bomb Aimer. Meanwhile, Air Gunners would pair up together and find a Wireless Operator/Air Gunner, then eventually the crew would come together. Usually after that crews would go to a local pub for an evening of ‘bonding’. At OTUs, they flew twin engine aircraft, so Flight engineers were not required initially, so Flight Engineers would join the crew later at OTUs, or at the Heavy Conversion Units or at Lancaster Finishing School.
John’s crew were sent to No 1662 Heavy Conversion Unit at RAF Hemswell on 18 September 1943 and to No 103 Squadron, RAF Elsham Wold on 29 Sep 43. A few months later, No 626 Squadron formed at nearby RAF Wickenby, and as new squadrons always need some experienced crews, so John’s crew were posted there on 10 November 1943.
John’s crew, captained by Flight Sergeant West flew many missions to bomb Berlin, but on their 14th operational mission on 15 January 1944, they were shot down and failed to return.
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