The famous “G” for George Lancaster Bomber, which is on display in the National War Memorial in Canberra, is the feature of the travelling War Memorial Exhibit which will be at the forthcoming Yeoval Show on Tuesday May 8.
This famous bomber of RAAF Squadron 460 played an important role in the War over Europe and has a special place in the heart of Yeoval- the ‘Greatest Little Town in the West’.
The first 13 successful raids flown by “G” for George were piloted by Flight Sergeant James Alexander Saint-Smith DFC DFM.
In those days of World War II there were hundreds of small one-teacher schools throughout NSW.
One of these small schools was the Yullundry Public School, some 14 kilometres from Yeoval, and Flight Sergeant 403380 James Alexander Saint-Smith was the teacher.
James resigned his teaching position and joined the Australian Air Force in January 1941 aged 24 years old. In his short, but very distinguished, war service he piloted the Lancaster Bomber “G” for George and then on June 29, 1944 aged 26 years he was killed over Belgium while piloting a Mosquito Aircraft spotting targets for the Bombers behind him.
As he had completed his second tour of duty he had been granted leave to return to Australia to marry. While waiting the day for his flight he undertook a mission in a Mosquito as a target spotter and was killed.
With the introduction of central schools, pupils are now bussed into Yeoval from the many one-teacher schools which once existed.
Flying Officer James Alexander Saint-Smith’s original Yullundry School classroom building was transported to the Yeoval Central School site where it still houses daily classes today.
On Friday April 11 2008, a special service was held in the grounds of Yeoval Central School attended by a group of airmen from RAAF base Richmond, representatives of the French Embassy and local Residents.
A plaque was affixed to the building in memory of its famous teacher from another place in another time.
The Yeoval Show is to be opened by a
serving member of Flight Sergeant James Alexander Saint-Smiths Squadron- RAAF 460 Squadron.