Thomas Wilton Smith was born in Argentina and came to England in 1940. He joined the R.A.F. and served with 129 Squadron. He died in hospital in Chelmsford in December 1943.

Thomas Wilton SMITH, Warrant Officer (Pilot), 129 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Died in Chelmsford. Aged 24

Thomas subequently joined the Royal Air Force and served a Warrant Officer (Pilot) 1379718 in 129 Squadron.

He died in the Chelmsford & Essex Hospital in Chelmsford on 22nd December 1943 as a result of injuries sustained in an aircraft accident, aged 24. At the time his squadron was based at Hornchurch Aerodrome in Essex.

Today Thomas lies in Hornchurch Cemetery, Hornchurch (Section A. Grave 1374).

His parents lived as Rosario de Santa Fe, Argentina.

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Thomas was born in Rosario, Santa Fé, Argentina around 1919, the son of Edwin and Jessie Esther Smith. He had a sister, Martha L. Smith, born around 1917, and a brother John E. Smith born in late 1920 or early 1921.

As a ten month-old infant he travelled from La Plata in Argentina to London on S.S. Highland Glen, arriving in the capital on 29th June 1920, He was accompanied by his parents and sister whose home was in Uraguay.

On 14th May 1921 Thomas, accompanied by his mother and two siblings, sailed from Liverpool to Montevideo in Uragauy on S.S. La Rosarina.

Aged 21, he returned to England from Buenos Aires on S.S. Highland Brigade, arriving in Liverpool on 24th September 1940. He was accompanied by his brother and both intended to live at 247 St. Margaret's Road, Ward End in Birmingham. At the time Thomas' permanent home was in Argentina, his brother in Uraguay.