Smithson, J

John Harold Smithson DFC

Flying Officer RAAF

457 Squadron Number 401252

Born October 22nd 1918

Posted from No 2 (F) OUT. Native of Victoria.

Joined No 6161 Sqn in England as Sergeant. November 1941 to October 1942, being commissioned in May 1942.

Returned to Australia and posted to No 457 Squadron for a second tour of operational duty. March 1943 to February 1944.

Temporary B Flight leader between 9/12/1943 and 31/1/1944, succeeding D.H. MacLean. Replaced by A. Glendenning. Tour expired in February 1944.

No more operational postings until the end of the war. Four confirmed victories two being at night with 457 Squadron Dieppe, Europe, 1942 and Darwin 1943.

Awarded the DFC 7/1/1944.

Discharged July 1946 from No2 Operational Training Unit, Mildura.