| Rank | Sergeant (Pilot) |
| Service # | R68180 |
| Unit # | RCAF, 412 (R.A.F.) Falcon Sqdn. |
Believed to have been born in Windsor, ON. he was living in Chatham, ON. Raymond attended McKeough Public School and he lived on the corner of Grand Ave. West and Hillyard
Raymond married Betty Jane Cripps the only daughter of Mrs. Ernest Cripps of Chatham in the Parkdale United Church in Ottawa by Rev. A. B.B. More. The couple honeymooned at the Chateau Laurier in Ottawa. CDN 14/03/41. Prior to enlisting the last known address was at 112 Gladstone, Ave., in Chatham, with his wife Betty (nee Cripps) her mother was also living on Gladstone. Before the war Raymond was employed at the Woolworth store in Chatham. He was well known around the city.
Raymond received his pilots wings at Uplands Air Training School in Ottawa and had been overseas on ‘active service’ since April 1941.
KIA – Date of Death: 02/08/1941, Service No: R/68180. While flying Spitfire # H 4176 in a mid –air collision over Sleaford, Lincolnshire, England. Raymond is believed to be the first man from Chatham killed while serving in the RCAF.
The telegram to Betty arrived in Chatham while she was visiting friends in Kingston and was opened in her absence by her Mrs Cripps, which said the following:
“Deeply regret to inform you your husband R68180, Sgt. R. G. Smith lost his life Aug. 2, 1941 as a result of an aircraft accident.”
A past master of the Tecumseh Chapter of the Order of DeMolay it was reported that a Memorial Service would be planned for Sgt.-Pilot Smith. CDN 25/08/41.
DeMolay [ a youth wing of the Masonic Order – JRH] is an organization dedicated to preparing young men to lead successful, happy, and productive lives. Basing its approach on timeless principles and practical, hands-on experience, DeMolay opens doors for young men aged 12 to 21 by developing the civic awareness, personal responsibility and leadership skills so vitally needed in society today. DeMolay combines this serious mission with a fun approach that builds important bonds of friendship among members in more than 1,000 chapters worldwide.
The Memorial service for Sgt. Pilot Raymond George Smith was conducted in the city of Chatham and reported in the CDN 24/10/1941 by the Order of DeMorley-Tecumseh Order in St. Andrews United Church’s Hall on 23 Oct. 1941. The ceremony was attended by members of the Grand Council from Michigan and Windsor as well as the local chapter members. “The solemnity of the occasion was emphasized during a roll call when there was no response to the name of the young man who had given his life for his country.” CDN24/10/41. Sgt.-Pilot was the 1st fatality on ‘active service’ from the City of Chatham.
It is believed that Raymond’s widow Betty remarried and at the time of this articles printing was living in Stuart, Florida.
Two articles appeared in the Chatham Daily News as a result of a woman in England Nita Knapp who discovered his grave maker in the cemetery in the village of Scopwick, which is near the RAF station at Digby. In the article, which was looking for information on Sgt./Pilot Smith she says, “I feel a very close connection with Smith although I never met him in real life.” She went on to say that she often places flowers at his gravesite wheich is not far from her home. “I often stop and have a little chat with Smith.”
A following letter “Mystery becomes clearer” in the Chatham Daily News
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