Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS
Guest: Flight Lieutenant Douglas Stanley Peche Smith, DFC (NZ41948)
Host: Dave Homewood
Duration: 54 minutes, 20 seconds
Topic: In this episode Dave Homewood talks with 97 year old WWII veteran pilot Flight Lieutenant Doug Smith, DFC, about his vivid and colourful memories from his flying days.
Doug, who now lives in Orewa, tells of his background, joining the RNZAF and training, and then his service in England flying Bristol Blenheims and Douglas Bostons with No. 88 Squadron, his conversion to Vickers Wellingtons and then to Avro Lancasters, and his tour of operations with No. 207 Squadron RAF.
He also flew Avro Yorks with the RAF after WWII, then came home to New Zealand and joined National Airways Corporation. With NAC he flew Douglas DC-3’s, Vickers Viscounts, Fokker Friendships and finally Boeing 737’s.
Doug Smith DFC
By the way the small music clip comes from Danosongs and is called Magic Ghost
Douglas Stanley Peche SMITH
Notice Condolences
SMITH, Douglas Stanley Peche. D.F.C, Legion d’Honneur. Born March 11, 1918. Passed away December 19, 2018, aged 100. Pilot; 88 Squadron RAF, 207 Squadron RAF, National Airways Corporation. Dearly loved husband of Rhoda and beloved friend of Eve. Much loved father of Susan, Bill, Phillip and Richard, loving father-in-law of Lynette and Sarah, fun-loving grandfather of Jason, Georgie, Jamie, Daniel, Sam and Harry, and great-grandfather of Perry, Dominik, Dustin, Clae, Finn and Darcy. Relatives, friends and colleagues are warmly invited to attend a memorial celebration of Doug’s life where we will remember fondly his many adventures and escapades. Bring warm hearts, stories and laughter to share as we raise a glass to a remarkable man at this, his very last, departure gate. The memorial will be held at 5pm on Sunday 27th January at the Sir Keith Park Memorial Aviation Hall (MOTAT 2). Enter at 200 Meola Road, Point Chevalier, Auckland. No flowers, however a donation in Doug’s honour, to MOTAT 2 for the further preservation of our aviation history, would be most welcome.
Published in The New Zealand Herald on Jan. 12, 2019
R.I P. Mr Smith ..
Knew you years ago at Birkenhead .. Always a kind man ,,