The Medals of Sir Ross Macpherson "Hadji" Smith

The Australian War Memorial currently has on display collections of medals awarded to many prominent Australian servicemen and women during Australia's martial history. The only Australian Flying Corps member in the display is Ross Smith. Smith in his operational service, earnt two Military Crosses and three Distinguished Flying Crosses, the highest number of those awards grouped amongst Australian Flying Corps members and also amongst British and Commonwealth pilots. Williams wrote that he thought Smith should also have been awarded the Distinguished Service Order as well, Williams wrote;

"Again, it was my view that Ross Smith, already wearing the ribbon of the Military Cross with Bar and the Distinguished Flying Cross with Bar and stil doing outstanding work, should be recommended after a reasonable period for the Distinguished Service Order. This intention was thwarted by Headquarters making an immediate award of a second bar to the DFC for a particular action, without my knowledge, and because of the cessation of hostilities immediately after prevented me making the recommendation I had in mind."

Ross Smith was later knighted for his record making flight from England to Australia in 1919.

Military Cross

SMITH, Lieutenant Ross Macpherson; Australian Flying Corps; No 1 Sqn AFC; 11 May 1917: For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when his pilot descended to the rescue of an officer who had been forced to land. On landing he held the enemy at bay with his revolver, thus enabling his pilot to rescue the officer and to safely fly away his machine.

SMITH, Lieutenant Ross Macpherson MC; Australian Flying Corps; No 1 Sqn AFC; London Gazette 26 March 1918, Commonwealth of Australia Gazette 7 August 1918, London Gazette Citation 24 August 1918, Commonwealth of Australia Gazette Citation 12 December 1918: He was one of two pilots who carried out a remarkable series of photographs in one flight, completely covering an important area of 45 square miles. On a later occasion he successfully bombed an important bridge head from a low altitude, and his work throughout as well as his photography has been invaluable and characterised by the most consistent gallantry.

Distinguished Flying Cross

SMITH, Captain Ross Macpherson MC; Australian Flying Corps; No 1 Sqn AFC; London Gazette 8 February 1919, Commonwealth of Australia Gazette 23 May 1919: (Joint citation with Lieutenant WA Kirk) During the months of June and July, these officers (Captain Smith and Lieutenant Kirk) accounted for two enemy machines and they have been conspicuous for their gallantry and initiative in attacking ground targets, frequently at very low altitudes. The keenness and fine example set by these officers cannot be over estimated.

SMITH, Captain Ross Macpherson MC DFC; Australian Flying Corps; No 1 Sqn AFC; London Gazette 8 February 1919, Commonwealth of Australia Gazette 32 May 1919: During the operations prior to October 1918, he took part in numerous engagements involving flights of 150 and 200 miles, and succeeded in doing extensive damage to the enemy's hangers, railways, etc. Captain Smith displayed most consistent gallantry with marked ability in all his work, whether bombing by night or day or in personal encounters in the air. Whilst operating with the Sheriffian forces he destroyed one enemy machine and brought down two others out of control in the desert.

SMITH, Captain Ross Macpherson MC DFC; Australian Flying Corps; No 1 Sqn AFC; London Gazette 8 February 1919, Commonwealth of Australia Gazette 23 May 1919: On 19th October, this officer with Lieutenant A.V. McCann as observer engaged and drove down an enemy two seater. As it appeared to land intact, he descended to a low altitude and, with machine gun fire, forced the occupants to abandon the machine. He then landed alongside it, and while his observer covered the enemy officers, he set light to their machine and completely destroyed it. To have effected a landing in unknown country, many, many miles in the rear of the enemy's advanced troops demanded courage and skill of a very high order.

Air Force Cross

SMITH, Captain Ross Macpherson; Australian Flying Corps; London Gazette 3 June 1919, Commonwealth of Australia Gazette 6 October 1919:

Order of the Nahda 4th Class

SMITH, Captain Ross Macpherson; Australian Flying Corps; 1 Sqn AFC; London Gazette 1 April 1920, Commonwealth of Australia Gazette 8 July 1920:

Knight Commander of the British Empire

SMITH, Captain Ross Macpherson; Australian Flying Corps; 1 Sqn AFC; London Gazette 26 December 1919, Commonwealth of Australia Gazette 15 April 1920: