Sydney Ernest Smith

Sydney Ernest Smith
Born(1881-04-24)24 April 1881
Farnham, Surrey, England
Died11 June 1943(1943-06-11) (aged 62)
Bristol, England
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
Service / branchGloucestershire Regiment, Royal Flying Corps
Royal Air Force
RankColonel
AwardsCommander of the Order of British Empire
Other workJustice of the peace

Colonel Sydney Ernest Smith CBE (24 April 1881 – 11 June 1943) was an English pioneer aviator, soldier, airman and company director.

Early life

Smith was born on 24 April 1881 at Farnham, Surrey.[1] In the 1901 Census of Bristol he was living with his widowed mother and was described as a Civil Engineer with Tramway Company.[2] When the Bristol Aeroplane Company was founded by Sir George White Smith, Sir George's nephew was appointed manager. On 22 November 1910 Smith, flying a Bristol Boxkite at Brooklands, was awarded the 33rd Royal Aero Club aviators certificate. He then went to Australia to promote the use of aircraft on sheep farms.[1]

First World War

During the First World War Smith re-joined his old battalion with the rank of major and by 1915 he was attached to the Royal Flying Corps and later the Royal Air Force retiring with the rank of colonel.[1]

Post war

Smith was a director of the Imperial Tramways Company between 1926 and 1930 and a director and general manager of the Bristol Tramways and Carriage Company until he retired in 1935.[1] He was also a director of the Bristol Aeroplane Company until his death.[3]

Family

Smith married Ethel Mary Ball in 1910 had they had two daughters – Alice G and Jean Mary and a son, the son was killed by enemy action in 1940.[1]

Smith died at the Bristol Royal Infirmary on 11 June 1943.[4]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Death of Col. Sydney Smith". Flight: 667. 24 June 1943.
  2. ^ 1901 Census of Bristol, RG13/2370, Folio 91, Page 4, Sydney E Smith, aged 18, Civil Engineer Tramway Co, 1, Belvedere Road, Bristol
  3. ^ "Bristol Aeroplane Company A Year of Considerable Activity, Factory xtensions, Important New Features in Latest Aircraft, Capital Increased, Mr. W. G. Verdon Smith's Address". Business and Finance. The Times. No. 47409. London. 24 June 1936. col A, p. 24.
  4. ^ "Deaths". Deaths. The Times. No. 49572. London. 15 June 1943. col A, p. 1.