Sergeant Desmond Edwin Sproule Sidney-Smith (1056817) served in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve during World War Two. He was the son of Tredgar Sidney-Smith and Irene Sarah Hillen Margaret Sidney-Smith (née Sproule) of Laurel Lodge, Sydenham, Belfast, Co. Down.
Desmond attended Royal Belfast Academical Institution Belfast, Co. Antrim. He then graduated from Queen’s University, Belfast, Co. Antrim and intended to enter the Diplomatic Service. He was a keen sportsman and played Rugby Union for both establishments.
Sergeant Sidney-Smith died on 28th March 1942 aged 20 years old while serving in RAF 7 Squadron. He was a member of the crew of Short Stirling W7501 MG-Z when it took off at 1938hrs from RAF Oakington, Cambridgeshire.
During the raid on Lübeck, Germany, the bomber came under attack from a Luftwaffe fighter piloted by Oberleutnant Ludwig Becker of 6/NJG 2. The bomber came down at around 2205hrs in the North Sea to the north of Terschelling, Netherlands. All 7 of the crew died as a result of the incident.
Remembering the crew of Stirling W7501
| Last Name | First Name(s) | Rank | Role | Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edwards | Jeffrey Hugh | Flight Lieutenant | RAF 42052. | |
| Cale | Ronald Philip | Sergeant | RAFVR 1381147. | |
| Eagle | Leonard Reil | Sergeant | RAFVR 570100. | |
| Norris | Louis Robert Martin | Sergeant | RAFVR 926585. | |
| Banks | John Charles Lyon | Sergeant | RAFVR 917462. | |
| Graham | John Thompson | Flight Sergeant | RAFVR 968335. | |
| Sidney-Smith | Desmond Edwin Sproule | Sergeant | RAFVR 1056817. |
Desmond Edwin Sproule Sidney-Smith has no known grave. His name is on Panel 93 of the Runnymede Memorial, Surrey, England.