Choloy, France

1961 – 4 (F) Wing – Assorted Sources


Details:

23 February 1961
F/O ED Payne - 444 Squadron
W/C RV "Roy" Smith - 444 Squadron

Comments:

These pilots were attached to 444 Squadron at 4 (F) Wing, Baden Germany. They were killed when W/C RV Smith (Sabre #23409) was involved in a mid-air collision with F/O ED Payne (Sabre #23488).

W/C Roy Smith was the Officer Commanding 444 Squadron between September 1960 and February 1961.


Extract from 1 Air Division Historical Report:

23 Feb 61

The pilots of two Sabre jet fighters from 4 Fighter Wing, Baden-Soellingen, Germany, were killed today when their aircraft collided in the air. They were W/C Roy Smith, 37, of Middleton, NS, Officer Commanding 444 (Cobra) Squadron, and F/O Eugene Payne, 27, of Lakefield Ontario, also a member of 444 Squadron.


[W/C RV Smith Grave Marker]

[W/C RV Smith Grave Marker]

Grave marker photos courtesy of Malcolm Cromarty - February 2001