Vale Neil Leybourne SMITH

We’re sad to report that our Association has lost another of our precious "living links" with the aviators of the First World War. Neil SMITH, who created the 3SQN Association Website more than 20 years ago, has died in palliative care, after a lengthy period of declining health due to cancer.

Neil's father, Lt. James "Lee" SMITH DFC, flew RE8s with 3rd Squadron AFC, before he was wounded in combat over the Western Front in 1918. After WW1, Lee took up an Electrical Engineering career in Sydney. With the outbreak of WW2, Lee signed-up again for the RAAF, rising to the rank of Wing Commander by 1945. - Hence young Neil and his sister Barbara grew up in a household steeped in AFC folklore and RAAF connections.

Neil's parents were both from established Sydney Eastern Suburbs families. They were married at the spectacular St Marys Cathedral in Sydney in 1926. Neil was born in 1933 and later attended Christian Brothers College Rose Bay. At the tender age of 16, Neil was appointed a Lieutenant in his school Cadets.

By 1951, Neil's 18-year-old age-category dropped him straight into the first year of Australia's brand-new "National Service" scheme. Neil's dad Lee was very keen on Neil nominating the RAAF for his six-month residential training, and - in particular - to do so at RAAF Fairbairn (Canberra), where Lee's beloved 3SQN was based!

So "National Service Air Trainee, SMITH N.L." found himself in frigid Canberra in the winter of 1951, only to discover that 3SQN had flown the coop! They had sensibly departed north to warmer climes, for a "training exercise" with their Mustangs. Just one old 3SQN Auster observation aircraft was available, but at least the boys all received a joy-flight in it.

Another problem was that the RAAF had failed to think through exactly how to productively employ this flood of young six-month warriors. The only "skill" being offered was "Ground Gunner"! Somebody in command then had the brilliant idea of training new pilots (who were soon to be shipped out to the Korean War) in "POW Escape and Evasion" techniques - with the Airfield Defence Trainees pretending to be an armed North Korean search cordon...
- What could possibly go wrong?!

As it turned out, a lot went wrong! Civilian motor-vehicles were bailed-up in the dark of night at rifle-point by the 18-year-olds and searched for "escapees". It got into the newspapers; the Minister for Air was not happy!!! (This was an early cameo appearance from Billy McMAHON - later one of Australia's least-successful Prime Ministers.)

Neil's six months of National Service limbo seems to have discouraged him from pursuing further Air Force employment! However, Neil worked his way into management in the food industry and then had a long and successful career as a film-maker and independent audio-visual expert. He settled down in the leafy suburb of Lindfield on Sydney's North Shore, with his wife Patti and sons Peter and Tony.

Neil was a willing "doer". He was a Justice of the Peace from the late 1950s and his retirement years were sprinkled with worthwhile causes, including founding the Seniors United Party and standing for election in the NSW Legislative Council as late as 2019. Many of the residents in his RAAF-themed Retirement Village ("The Landings") in North Turramurra depended on Neil for advocacy and advice. He gained considerable press coverage exposing the ills of greedy property developers.

Neil's interest in WW1 aviation and 3SQN were reflected in his active membership of several related clubs and societies. His video production skills were also put to great use in the 1990s when he researched and created a video history of 3SQN. He then single-handedly built-up and launched the 3SQN Association Website in May 2001. - Neil's creation is still growing strongly 23 years later!
His wise words are proudly displayed on the website's front page:

- John LOVE says:
"I was greatly saddened to receive the news of Neil's passing. It seems only yesterday when my brother Jeff and I reviewed Neil's fine collection of his father's WW1 memorabilia at his home at 'The Landings'. His valuable contribution and research into 3 Squadron's early years was a lifetime's dedicated commitment. Neil was a Great Australian and showed strength of character during his closing years."

- Another son of a WW1 3AFC flyer, Des SHEEHAN added:
"I visited Neil at Lindfield when he was living there, and also at 'The Landings'. In the 1980s Neil was an office bearer for our Australian Society of World War I Aero Historians. Even when his health was declining he generously came along and contributed to a talk I was giving to our historians, on how Lt. Lee Smith gained his DFC. I used a lot of the material provided by Neil on the 3 Squadron Association website. Neil brought along Lee’s “Pyancus” walking stick, and the infamous map board with the shrapnel hole in it. We will all miss Neil, with his enthusiasm and positive outlook on life. His contribution to the history of 3 Squadron was enormous, and also particularly valuable to me. - Vale Neil."

Neil Leybourne SMITH
Dedicated 3SQN Association Contributor

9th March 1933 to 26th August 2024. Age 91.

Neil Leybourne SMITH Dedicated 3SQN Association Contributor

9th March 1933 to 26th August 2024. Age 91.

Neil Leybourne SMITH
Dedicated 3SQN Association Contributor