Driver Francis Smith

Francis Smith was the son of Olive Smith, of Leeds, Yorkshire, he enlisted in the Royal Army Service Corps and volunteered for airborne forces.

Driver Smith successfully completed his parachute training at RAF Ringway on course number 109, from 27 March to 7 April 1944. His course report stated “Not nervous but very quiet, hard worker, average performer”. He was posted to 716 (Airborne) Light Composite Company, Royal Army Service Corps, and took part in Operation Overlord (Normandy).

Dvr Smith was killed in action on 6 July 1944, aged 19, and was buried in Ranville War Cemetery, Calvados, France.

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