Ralph Smith died in an air accident near Marseilles on 15/1/1946 when a Dakota of 271 squadron crashed in poor visibility while transporting POWs back from Japan. He probably joined the RAFVR in 1941 and trained as a Wireless Operator/Air Gunner. Please can anyone advise where 271 Squadron were based in January 1946 and which theatres they operated in from 1943 (presumably when Ralph joined them).
271 was based at Broadwell, near Burford, Oxfordshire,. At that time, December onwards, carrying out flights to India.
Did aircraft and crews from 271 Squadron fly (in legs) all the way to India or was there flights from India-based Squadrons to some intermediate point. I downloaded the 271 Squadron Operations Record book from the National Archive (see attached), but is was illegible.
I'm sorry not to be able to assist you on this. I see what you mean about the illegible ORB. It might be worth going back to National Archives about this.
CWGC details, for record Casualty Flying Officer (Wireless Operator) SMITH, RALPH NATHANIEL Service Number 185078 Died 15/01/1946 Aged 23 271 Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve Son of Arthur George and Blanche Edith Smith, of Great Chesterford, Essex; husband of Ruth Olive Smith, of South Woodford. His brother Eric Douglas Frederick Smith also fell. INSCRIPTION: IN DEAREST MEMORY OF MY BELOVED HUSBAND. SOME DAY WE WILL MEET AGAIN Buried at MAZARGUES WAR CEMETERY, MARSEILLES Location: Bouches-du-Rhone, France Number of casualties: 1742 Cemetery/memorial reference: Plot 10. Row A. Grave 21. See cemetery plan His brother: Corporal 7604194 Eric Smith - Captured at Singapore