Corporal Francis Edward Smith
Survivor of WW2
Date of Death:
Service Biography
Francis Edward Smith was born at Ormstown, Quebec, on 10 October 1915. A stationary engineer, he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force at Montreal on 1 March 1943. He trained and served as a stationary engineer at RCAF stations including Lachine, St. John's and Gander in Newfoundland, Yarmouth and Dartmouth, and rose to the rank of Corporal. On 28 August 1943 he married Margaret Luella McMillan at Westmount, Quebec. His wartime medical record included an appendectomy in 1944 and treatment for recurrent headaches and sinus complaints. Smith was released at Dartmouth on 4 March 1946 on completion of his term of voluntary service.
General Information
Conflict:
WW2
Regimental No.:
R224122
Cause of Death (in war):
Survived
Branch:
Air Force
Regiment:
Royal Canadian Air Force
Battalion:
Company:
Date of Birth :
Place of Birth:
Ormstown, Quebec
Date of Enlistment:
Age at Enlistment:
27 years 4 months
Date of Discharge:
Age at Discharge:
30 years 4 months
Date of Death:
Age at Death:
73 years 7 months
Country Born:
Canada
Trade or Calling:
Stationary engineer
Next of Kin:
Margaret Luella Smith (wife), 83 Pleasant Street, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Address at Enlistment:
1355 Greene Avenue, Westmount, Montreal, Quebec
Religion:
Roman Catholic
Place of Enlistment:
Montreal, Quebec
Was a Prisoner of War:
No
Height:
5 ft 9.0 in / 175 cm
Weight:
133 lbs / 60 kg
Chest:
36.0 in / 91 cm
Expansion:
2.0 in / 5 cm
Marital Status:
Married
Prior Military Experience:
No
Saw Service in:
Canada
Place of Discharge:
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Discharge Type:
Regular/End of Service
Discharge Notes:
Battle Died/Wounded:
Length of Service:
1099 days in service
Buried at:
Links
Images
Corporal Francis Edward Smith
Ranks
| Conflict |
Rank |
Regiment |
Branch |
Unit |
Company |
Date From |
Date To |
| WW2 |
Corporal |
Royal Canadian Air Force |
Air Force |
|
|
|
|
| Later records normally abbreviate rank as Cpl. |
| WW2 |
Acting Corporal (Paid) |
Royal Canadian Air Force |
Air Force |
|
|
|
|
| Effective date read from Record of Service; retain Medium because handwritten entry is faint. |
| WW2 |
Aircraftman 2nd Class |
Royal Canadian Air Force |
Air Force |
|
|
|
|
Awards
| Conflict |
Award |
Action |
Date of Award |
Date of Citation |
Source |
| WW2 |
Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and Clasp |
|
|
|
|
| WW2 |
War Service Badge — General Service Class |
|
|
|
|
Service Chronology
1915-10-10 — Born.
1943-02-04 — Medical examination; accepted Category A4B.
1943-03-01 — Enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force as Aircraftman 2nd Class.
1943-03-03 — Posted through No. 5 Manning Depot, Lachine.
1943-04-22 — Struck off strength No. 5 Manning Depot for No. 9 Repair Depot.
1943-04-23 — Taken on strength No. 9 Repair Depot.
1943-05-01 — Appointed Acting Corporal (Paid).
1943-05-11 — Admitted to station hospital.
1943-05-18 — Discharged from station hospital.
1943-08-28 — Married Margaret Luella McMillan.
1943-09-25 — Posted from repair-depot organization toward Gander.
1943-10-01 — Taken on strength RCAF Station Gander.
1943-11-01 — Appointed Temporary Corporal (Paid).
1944-02-04 — Admitted to Station Hospital with recurrent severe headaches / sinus complaints.
1944-02-12 — Discharged from Station Hospital.
1944-03-12 — Posted from Gander to Yarmouth.
1944-05-11 — Admitted for acute appendicitis; appendectomy performed during hospitalization.
1945-08-30 — Posted from Yarmouth toward Dartmouth.
1945-10-01 — Taken on strength at Dartmouth.
1946-02-22 — Struck off strength Dartmouth for release processing.
1946-03-04 — Released from the RCAF on completion of a term of voluntary service during an emergency.
Notes
The RCAF service file confirms birth at Ormstown on 10 October 1915 and marriage to Margaret Luella McMillan at Westmount, Quebec, on 28 August 1943. It documents Second World War RCAF service only; the file does not establish later Korean War service.
1915-1989
Francis Edward* Smith BIRTH OCTOBER 10, 1915 • Ormstown, Quebec,Canada DEATH JUNE 1ST, 1989 • R.V.H. Montreal Quebec, Canada
May have served ion Korea
Marriage August 28, 1943 • Montreal Reception at the Chateau, Huntingdon Quebec, Canada Marguerite Luella** McMillan 1911–2009
Buried Valleyfield Catholic Cemetery Field of Honour
Request confirmation number EA2026_0172332
Mr. and Mrs. Francis E. Smith after their mar- August 28th, when a reception was held at The Mrs. Smith was formerly M
Additional Service Notes
Served in the Royal Canadian Air Force from 1 March 1943 to 4 March 1946. Trained and worked as a stationary engineer, advancing from Aircraftman 2nd Class through paid corporal appointments to Corporal. Postings included Lachine, St. John's and Gander in Newfoundland, Yarmouth and Dartmouth. He was released on completion of a term of voluntary service during an emergency.
Additional Next of Kin Notes
Father John Francis Smith of Ormstown was next of kin at enlistment; mother was Catherine Mary McCaffrey. Francis married Margaret Luella McMillan at Westmount, Quebec, on 28 August 1943. Later personnel records identify Margaret as his wife and permanent home contact; a Dartmouth address of 83 Pleasant Street is recorded.
Version: 4 Last modified: 2026-09-19 02:05:03
by: marc
