The Airmen's Stories - F/O C W Goldsmith

Claude Waller Goldsmith was born on 1st June 1917 in Dersley, in the Transvaal, South Africa, the son of Dr. Arthur Waller Goldsmith and of Nora Goldsmith (nee Stanton).

He was educated in England at Cheltenham College and Imperial College, London where he studied Mining at the School of Mines. He then worked at the Geduld Mine in South Africa before returning to England.

He was a member of the London University Air Squadron in 1936 (photo below) and was commissioned in the RAFVR in March 1938.

Called to full-time service on 10th October 1939, Goldsmith was serving with 603 Squadron at Dyce in early July 1940 before being posted to 54 Squadron at Hornchurch on 3rd September. He rejoined 603 there on the 28th.

Goldsmith was shot down by Me109s south of Maidstone on 27th October 1940. His Spitfire, P7439, crashed near Waltham, between Ashford and Canterbury.

He died of his injuries next day, aged 23. He is buried in Hornchurch Cemetery, Essex.