Norm Smithells in front of his Spitfire Mk. VIII, UP-F, serial no A58-517 nicknamed “Have a Go, Jo!”. No. 79 Squadron, Morotai 1945.
Another Spitfire pilot has taken off on his last flight. Norm Smithells, Australian Spitfire pilot of No. 79 Squadron RAAF, passed away on 1 May 2011.
Norm was born in 1922 in Collingwood, Victoria.
His initial contact with the RAAF Recruiting depot was in October 1940. After receiving flight training in Australia, Norm was among the Australian pilots who travelled to the UK. He saw service there in 1942 in No. 131 Squadron as Sgt. Pilot, and was commissioned (pilot officer) on his return to Australia in September 1943. His career was henceforth coupled with No. 79 Squadron.
During the war Norm changed his name to Turnbull his stepfather’s name, as the casualty rates had been climbing and he wanted to have that name in the records just in case anything happened to him.
Norm died in the age of 88.
[...] initial contact with the RAAF Recruiting depot was in October 1940. After receiving Flight Training In Australia, Norm was among the Australian pilots who travelled to the UK. He saw service there in 1942 in No. [...]
Hi There,
Norm was my grandfather, and a few corrections to your info here:
-He passed on May 1st, 2011, the memorial was on May 6th.
-Norm was born a Turnbull, but changed his name to that of his step father during leave of his second tour in WWII (based on Morotai).
@Troy,
Thank you for providing these details and apologies for getting the date wrong. I’m correcting the article now; I’m glad you have found it on the web.
/Martin