In April 1936, “Tom” Smith joined No 610 Squadron, Auxiliary Air Force, was commissioned and flew from Hooton Park. He became a Flight Commander and was called to full-time service on 24 August 1939.
Over Dunkirk on 27 May, Smith destroyed a Bf 110 and probably another. Two days after the CO, Squadron Leader A L Franks, was shot down and killed, also over Dunkirk, Smith took command of 610 as an acting Squadron Leader.
On 10 July Smith crashed on landing at Hawkinge after his aircraft was damaged in combat above Dover. He was killed on 25 July when he stalled, attempting to land at Hawkinge after an action with Bf 109s over the Channel. His Spitfire crashed and burned out in a disused engine-testing shed. Flight Lieutenant John Ellis took command as an acting Squadron Leader.
Smith was 34 and is buried in St Peter’s churchyard, Delamere, Cheshire.
