Albert Ivan Smith
aka Bob Dunsford

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Record Bomber Class Given Wings at No. 5

Brantford, June 16, 1941 - (Special) – The largest number of bomber pilots from Toronto to graduate in a single class since the Commonwealth Air Training Scheme got under way, got wings tonight at No. 5 Service Flying Training School. Fifteen of the graduates were from Toronto, which had produced numbers of pilots, but not so many in one class before. Another fifteen young men were from other Ontario centers. The rest came from every Province from Nova Scotia to British Columbia.
The Torontonians stood well up in their class. They included L. A. Draper, Carl Hargreaves, F. D. Roddy, S. B. Scott, D. H. McSporran, Hugh Donson, James Loggie, J. H. Hilton, H. G. Lyon, J. D. Armstrong, H. R, Millichamp, H. F. Heather, W. C. Drum, L. F. Austin, and W. F. Sellers.
Group Captain B. F. Johnson, commanding officer of the school, who presented the wings, told the graduates that getting wings didn't wind up their training as fliers.
"You have a difficult task ahead of you," he said, "and I know you will measure up to it. It will be well to remember that there is much to learn after graduation. There is much you must know if you are to carry on your job successfully. Carry on and the best of luck."
For the first time, graduation was held with officers and men in the khaki of summer dress.
L. Bremer of Winnipeg led the class. Instructors and spectators joined in applauding him.
A number were from the western provinces including R. A. Colwell of Medicine Hat, Alberta, whose best girl came 2,700 miles from Pincher Creek, Alta., to see his wings pinned on.
Ontario graduates from outside Toronto included: R. B. Reid; Drayton; A. E. Harwood, Brantford; J. A. McCallum, Hamilton; W. G. Baldwin, Windsor; Cam Devine, Orillia; J. D. L. Campbell, Cobourg; L. J. Rathwell, Smiths Falls; W. B. Kaiser, South Porcupine; J. M. Hemstock, Chatsworth; F. P. Acree, Rainy River; A. I. Smith, Islington; C. W. A. Coop, Kitchener, and J. F. Cox, Kingston.

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SMITH, F/O Albert Ivan (J15203) - Distinguished Flying Cross - 272 Sq. (now retired)
Award effective 10 October 1942 as per London Gazette dated 11 June 1943 and
AFRO 644/44 dated 24 March 1944.

This officer has participated in numerous sorties in which he has attacked shipping, petrol barges, road transport and troops. He has destroyed four enemy aircraft and damaged others. Flying Officer Smith's high standard of personal courage and devotion to duty has been an example to the other members of his flight.

NOTE: Public Record Office Air 2/8933 has the earlier text of the recommendation for a non-immediate award, sent on 21 December 1942 from Headquarters, Royal Air Force, Middle East to Air Ministry.

This officer has flown over 170 hours on operations in the Middle East. He has completed sorties which include attacks on shipping, petrol barges, road transport and troops. During the course of these operations he has destroyed four enemy aircraft and damaged four others. By his high standard of personal courage and devotion to duty he has set a fine example to the other members of his flight.

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Air Casualties

Ottawa, Dec. 22, 1942 - (CP) - The R.C.A.F., in its 454th casualty list of the war, tonight reported 15 men missing after flying operations overseas. The latest list of casualties with next-of-kin includes :

SCOLLAN, Clyde Russell, PO, missing after air operations overseas, Mrs. G. A. Scollan (mother), 142 Crichton St. Ottawa

SMITH, Albert Ivan, FO missing after air operation's overseas. H. T. Smith (father) Islington, Ont.

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Air Casualties

Ottawa, June 7, 1943 (CP) — In its 595th casualty list of the war, containing 18 names, the R.C.A.F. tonight named three men as killed on active service overseas and one man as killed on active service in Canada. The latest casualty list with next of kin includes:

SMITH, Albert Ivan. F/O, previously reported missing on active service overseas, now reported safe. H. T. Smith (father) Islington, Ont.

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The following victories are listed by Chris Shores in Aces High (2nd edition):

* flying T886

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--- Canadian Aces ---

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