Another name - Thomas Smart 

 Tom was one of 'The Few', that immortal band of young men who fought the Luftwaffe to a standstill in the high summer of 1940.

He was born in Broughton in 1919 and educated at Birkenhead Institute.. The family lived at Harley House. During the war Tom's sister, Marjorie, worked for the the Ministry of Supply, his father, Thomas, was a seaman with Elder Dempster. 

Thomas joined the RAF on a short service commission in September 1937 and was posted to 10 Flying Training School, Tern Hill on 11th December. After completing his training he joined the staff at No. 1 Air Armament School at Manby. 

In early 1940 he was with 65 Squadron at Northolt. Over France on 22nd May he damaged a Ju88, on the 24th shared a Hs126, over Dunkirk on the 26th destroyed a Me110, on the 27th two Do17’s and on 25th June a probable Me109 and damaged another.He probably destroyed a Me109 and damaged two others on 12th August, destroyed a Me109 and damaged another on the 13th and destroyed a Do17 and probably another on the 26th. He destroyed a bomber at night on 10th January 1941 and an Me109 on 8th July. He was posted away from 65 in October to be an instructor.

 

Amongst those recently decorated by H.M. the King was Acting Flight-Lieut. Thomas Smart of Broughton-in-Furness, who is attached to No. 65 Squadron, R.A.F., and who, it will be recalled, was awarded the D.F.C. in January last.

                He was accompanied at the Palace by his cousins, Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Packham, of London.

-: Barrow News, Saturday, April 19, 1941;

  Squadron Leader Tom Smart was given command of 229 Squadron at Ta Kali, Malta in November 1942 and led it until he was killed on 12th April 1943. His Spitfire EP716 was shot down, most likely by Oblt. Gunther Hannak of JG27. Smart baled out too low for his parachute to fully deploy. He is commemorated on the Malta Memorial & the Battle of Britain Memorial.

Tom was awarded a Bar to the DFC (gazetted 18th September 1945) with effect from 11th April 1943.

Tom can be seen in this photo of pilots of 65 Sq during the Battle of Britain.

Foreground seated L to R 

F/Sgt Franklin, F/Sgt Tew, Brian Kingcombe, Tom Smart, and KG Hart (back to camera sunglasses)

Standing L to R: S/L Des Cooke, F/S MacPherson, F/Lt GAW Saunders, F/O 'Bunny' Walker, Sgt Kilner.