Sub.Lt.G.M. SmithSub.Lt.G.M. Smith PoW

Obs: Sub.Lt.G.M. Smith PoWOperation: Operation Athletic (1)

Date: 26th October 1944 (Thursday)

Unit: No. 1771 Squadron FAA

Type: Firefly I

Serial: Z1905

Code: -

Base: HMS Implacable (2)

Location: Rørvik, Norway

Pilot: Lt. (A) Raymond Martin Shaw 2586 Age 25. Killed

Obs: Sub.Lt.G.M. Smith PoW

REASON FOR LOSS:

(1) 'Athletic' was a British carrier borne air attack by elements of Admiral Sir Henry Moore’s Home Fleet on German shipping in harbours between Narvik and Trondheim along the west coast of German-occupied Norway (24/30 October 1944).

Hit by flak while pulling out of a diving attack on a ship alongside the jetty at Rørvik. The observer (Sub.Lt. N.G Smith), reported that he and the aircraft were on fire as small filled the cockpit. He received no reply from the pilot and baled out and taken PoW.

The aircraft hit the sea, the body of the pilot being recovered from the wreckage on the 03rd November 1941 and buried 4 days later.

(2) HMS Implacable was later converted to accommodate passengers. She was then deployed for repatriation of British POW and embarked 2,127 at Manila to take passage to Canada arriving at Esquimalt on the 11th October 1945. In January 1946 she visited Melbourne with HMS Indefatigable and sailed for the UK in May, arriving in June that year. The ship was placed in Reserve and refitted before joining the Home Fleet as a Flagship in 1949. Due to manning problems during 1950 many Home Fleet ships had to be withdrawn from service and HMS Implacable was deployed in the Training Squadron and continued service in the training role until 1954 when placed in Reserve. Placed on the Disposal List she was sold for breaking up at Inverkeithing, Rosyth arrived at the breaker’s yard on the 3rd November 1955.

Burial details:

Lt. (A) Raymond Martin Shaw. Trondheim Cemetery (Stavne). A IV British. K. 11. Born on the 27th September 1919 at Ararimu. Educated at Ararimu school and then Pukekohe Technical High School. A teacher for the Auckland Education Board. Enlisted on the 02nd May 1941 as aircrew under training. Embarked for Cardif on the 05th May 1941 - arrived 16th June 1941. With No. 14 Elementary Flying Training School 08th September 1941. With No. 1 Service Flying Training School 03rd November 1941.

Pilot badge awarded on the 07th March 1942 and commissioned. Served with various squadrons until joining 1771 squadron on the 22nd of September 1944. Son of James (died 01st January 1950, age 70) and Sarah Shaw (née Kiddle - died 28th October 1962, age 75), of Ararimu Auckland, New Zealand. Husband of Cynthia Jane Shaw (née Staughton), father of Angela Raye Shaw of Houghton, Huntingdonshire, England. (The CWGC incorrectly states his age of death as 26)

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this pilot with thanks to the extensive research by Errol Martyn and his publications: “For Your Tomorrow Vols. 1-3”, Auckland Library Heritage Collection, Weekly News of New Zealand, Air Museum of New Zealand, Museum of Transport and Technology, Auckland, other sources as quoted below: