Alexander Smith was born in British Columbia on September 20, 1914, the son of Alexander Smith Senior and Jean (nee Giffen) Smith, of 277 Kathleen Avenue, Sarnia. His parents, Alexander and Jean, were both originally from Scotland. Alexander attended Sarnia Collegiate School where he was a member of the school orchestra in which he played violin. He was also a member of the Cadet First Aid Team in 1931. After graduating from Sarnia Collegiate, he completed a course in agricultural science at the Ontario Agricultural College, Guelph. Single at the time, Alexander enlisted in May of 1939 in the Royal Canadian Air Force. He obtained his wings as an observer at the R.C.A.F. school at Jarvis, Ontario in October of 1940. He would remain at Jarvis for a post-presentation course of four weeks. In early December of 1940, he was able to spend a few days at his home in Sarnia on his way from Rivers, Manitoba to Ottawa where he would continue his training. He would go overseas in December of 1940.
Alex Smith would become a member of RCAF #72 Operational Training Unit, attaining the rank of Pilot Officer-Observer. Approximately one year after arriving overseas, on December 17, 1941 Pilot Officer-Observer Alexander Smith would lose his life when his Blenheim aircraft Z7628 crashed at Red Sea Hills, Egypt. Approximately one week later, his parents Alexander Sr. and Jean Smith in Sarnia would receive a cable informing them that their son, Alexander Smith has been reported as missing overseas. In July of 1942, they would receive the news that their son Alexander Gordon Smith was now officially listed as, Previously reported missing after air operations, now for official purposes presumed dead, overseas. Twenty-seven year old Alexander Smith has no known grave. His name is inscribed on the Alamein War Memorial, Column 245, Egypt.
SOURCES: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, J, L, M, N, R, 2C, 2D