Hurricane Pilot Identification?

Discussion in 'The War In The Air' started by Stephen White, Jul 4, 2020.

  1. Stephen White

    Stephen White Member

    I came across this photo this morning, which perfectly illustrated (to me anyway) a point I was trying to make, about the Hurricane's ability to take punishment. Predictably I was asked who the pilot was, before I start the search anyone got any idea's/leads?

    [​IMG]
     
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  2. AlanW

    AlanW Senior Member

    I thought at first possibly "Taffy" Higginson of 56sqdn but the part code does not look like a US-
     
    Last edited: Jul 4, 2020
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  3. Orwell1984

    Orwell1984 Senior Member

    Last edited: Jul 4, 2020
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  4. Stephen White

    Stephen White Member

    Flicking between the two photos for about 10 minutes, I'm almost convinced. It's just the fact he isn't a Sgt and 152 flew Spitfires. Pretty sure the photo is from Philip Birtles book, due to web address on corner of photo. Sadly photo is not featured on his website.
     
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  5. Orwell1984

    Orwell1984 Senior Member

    Coincidentally I have a copy on the way from NMP so I’ll look in it when it arrives and report back!
     
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  6. Mr Jinks

    Mr Jinks Bit of a Cad

    THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN LONDON MONUMENT

    Flight Lieutenant William Alexander Smith was born in Lucknow, India on 18th November 1915. He was educated in Scotland and read Engineering at Edinburgh. He left before obtaining his degree and joined the RAF on a short service commission, beginning his initial training course on 24th May 1937 at 5 E&RFTS Hanworth..................................................Smith went to 3 FTS South Cerney and after completing the course joined 2 AACU at Lee-on-Solent on 26th March 1938....................................................................

    Battle of Britain London Monument - F/Lt. W A Smith

    Kyle
     
  7. Waddell

    Waddell Well-Known Member

    Just to add a bit more to Kyle's post. I came across that photograph a few months back in Ralph Barker's book 'That Eternal Summer' where it forms part of a story about fighter pilot James Coward of 19 Sqn, who lost a leg during the Battle of Britain. Coward and Bill Smith were brothers in law.

    It states towards the end of the story "For Bill Smith the miracle came five weeks later, when the tailplane and rudder of his Hurricane were mangled and almost severed in a dogfight. Forced to fly at low level to avoid the German fighters he had been scrapping with, and knowing he would have no chance to survive a bale-out if his Hurricane became unflyable, he somehow nursed it 65 miles back home to his base at Northolt. His faithful bull-terrier- Joan's faithful bull-terrier seemed that day to come bounding to meet him even more eagerly than usual".

    Probably not pertinent to your research but the dog was his wife Joan's. Apparently Bill had a spaniel who didn't take to moving airfields, so he swapped with Joan.

    Scott
     
  8. Stephen White

    Stephen White Member


    Superb information and thank you very much for your time with this query.

    Regards
    Steve
     
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  9. Stephen White

    Stephen White Member

    Scott

    Thank you for the information, super report on how the Hurricane was damaged. While not part of my query, I love the story about the dog(s), really helps to build a picture of the man.

    Regards
    Steve
     
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  10. Stephen White

    Stephen White Member

    Thank you to everyone who contributed, very much illustrates the positive side of forums and the internet. Question answered, with extra and very interesting information, in less than 24 hours.
     
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