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Doug Smith’s family, including Richard and Sarah Smith and Doug’s grandsons, gathered for the occasion. Doug Smith received the medal making him a Knight of the National Order of the Legion of Honour from French Ambassador Florence Jeanblanc-Risler.
Ninety-seven year old Flight Lieutenant Doug Smith describes his service in World War II as “hairy at times, but also very good fun”.He remembers some very close calls with the Royal NZ Airforce – this included operations in North Western Europe with bomber squadrons from 1942–44. He says some of them were daytime missions, unescorted, which put their bravery to the test as they flew low over Paris, dropping bombs and “really annoying the Germans”.
At one time Doug’s oxygen mask leaked and a co-pilot discovered him, just in time, unconscious in the cockpit of the Lancaster bomber. His family recall stories of his days training in Norfolk, when the pilots tested their skills by flying low enough to chop the ears off corn in the fields.
The airforce awarded him the Distinguished Flying Cross in recognition of valour, courage or devotion to duty while flying in active operations against the enemy.
Those days are long behind him now – after the war he worked as a National Airways Corporation pilot for 26 years and he has lived in Maygrove Village for 12 years. However, Doug’s wartime service was acknowledged recently when he became one of 14 NZ veterans who have been awarded the French Legion of Honour medal during the past year.
The awards recognise the role that NZ veterans played in the liberation of France in World War II. In presenting the medal to Doug at Maygrove on October 16, French Ambassador Florence Jeanblanc-Risler said strong bonds were forged between France and NZ in times of war. “I would like to offer a sincere ‘merci’ for your courage, valour and commitment during your military service,” she said.
Around 50 invited guests, family and friends including Rodney MP Mark Mitchell, and Wing Commander Matthew Hill, attended the medal ceremony.
Doug is described by those that know him as modest and someone who goes out of his way for others. He remains sharp-eyed; he rode a motorbike well into his eighties and still drives a car – but his hearing is strictly right ear only.
Recently his family recorded an oral history so that Doug’s experiences will always be remembered and shared by the younger generation.
