Private. James Smith enlisted into the London Scottish on the 16 January 1940. He later volunteered to serve with the airborne forces. James successfully completed Parachute Course 15 at RAF Ringway. This course ran between 8 – 16 June 1942. He was then posted to ‘A’ Company, 2nd Parachute Battalion.

Served in North Africa on Operation ‘Torch’. Took part in the parachute drop at Depienne and was taken prisoner on the 30 November 1942.

He was shot and killed whilst attempting to escape from his POW Camp in Italy 19 April 1943. The London Gazette on 2 March 1944 records him being awarded a MiD. 

James was laid to rest in the Naples War Cemetery, plot III. R. 11

Written and researched by Robert Hilton