SMITH – Alst Claude D.

Flight Lieutenant – Pilot – 213 Sqn – Hurricanes

Educated at QRC; Volunteer Trinidad ETS; Trained at Piarco, 1st Course. Served with 213Sqn, Hurricanes, North Africa & 74 Sqn (2 tours), Mustangs, Italy. Nickname “Tigger”. Died by accident 1984. Grandson Louis-Claude Thomas; 759-6530/372-6108 lc_thomas@hotmail.com

[Source: CMHA]

7 additions to “SMITH – Alst Claude D.”

  1. Jerome Lee adds:

    1. Awarded the DFC. Source 1949 Franklin Yearbook

  2. Glenn Smith adds:

    Proud to be his grandson and will remember his stories forever. He used to tell me how to take off and lift the landing gear, and the diffenreces between the Hurricains and Spitfires.

    Glenn Smith

  3. Jerome Lee adds:

    Aircraft types flown (WW2 & Post War with BWIA}: Single Engine:- Tiger Moth, Miles Magister, Miles Master, Spitfire (Mks I,IIA,IV,VB.C.,IX A.B), Hurricane (Mks I, II A.B.C.), Hawker Hardy, Harvard II, Kittyhawk I, Tomahawk I, Defiant II, Fairchild, Mustang III, Martinet, Auster. Twin Engines:- Airspeed Oxford, Grumman Goose, Vickers Viking, Lockheed Lodestar, DC3

  4. Sally Davis adds:

    I’m researching the history of the Western Approaches Tactical Unit, based out of Liverpool during WW2. It was a group of Wrens who taught escort commanders how to sink U-Boats. One of the escort ships, HMCS St Croix, was involved in a notable action against the new acoustic torpedo, which the WATU made a huge contribution to.

    Lt Cecil John Smith, RCNVR, was first officer of the St Croix until January 1943, is it possible he’s related to Flt Lt Alst Claud (Tigger) Smith? I discovered this picture of him in the RCN Sentinel and I would love to know more about him. http://regimentalrogue.tripod.com/blog/st_croix_sentinel_apr_1972_700px.jpg

    Many thanks,

    Sally.

    More about WATU here: https://paxsims.wordpress.com/2016/12/08/the-wargaming-wrens-of-the-western-approaches-tactical-unit/

  5. Glenn Smith adds:

    Sally,

    I do not think there is a relation but will confirm with my father.

    Glenn

  6. Glenn Smith adds:

    He did fly the Mustang but was mostly in Spitfires, Hurricanes and even twin engined Beaufighters.

  7. Glenn Smith adds:

    Sally,

    I confirmed with my father and he did not recall anyone from St Croix as a family or friend relation.

    Regards,

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