LEUT (P) R.E. Smith was killed on 16 February 1951 whilst attempting to land his Fairey Firefly VX371 (816 Squadron) aboard HMAS Sydney.
Smith is reported as having previously been a Lancaster captain with RAF 460 squadron. Navy.gov.au reports that his aircraft crashed into the sea after his starboard wing entered funnel turbulence following a late wave-off. The aircraft struck the island and fell overboard. Observer PO Keith Bunning survived the accident.
