Coincidentally ? There's an elderly man called John Smith, in the Nelson Region of New Zealand, who has a Mosquito stored in his shed. Naturally the local aviation museum would love to get their hands on it ! I don't know how John came to have this mosquito ... he is rather a recluse. However, amazingly, my brother-in-law visited him 11 years ago and after a few "who you know" connections, he opened up and let us view this Mosquito ... even better, allowed us up into the cockpit! Curses, my camera was not functioning ..

Laurel

I started a SMITH DATABASE in New Zealand a few years ago. It hasn't been updated for awhile (rather a daunting task) but read through it, you never know. If you have a link to your research and story I will add it

Hi there
I have done research on Leicester Smith
He was the son of Amos James and Mabel Sarah Trott, b. 27.3.1919 Mrs Tombs house Rangiora, d. 14.7.2012 Auckland
m 1.5.1938 Derby, Midlands, UK.
Sylvia Barbara Joan WALKER b. 19.2.1924 Derby, Midlands. She lives in a rest home Auckland. I have corresponded with her daughter Ann.
I also have extensive story of his wife's journey to NZ on the ship with 400 War brides.
Also his book is in the Wigram Museum library and I was able to view all his transcripts of flights in the war years. The RNZAF also have given me extensive copies of a lot of the records on file that they had of his service.

Good morning from the Netherlands
Thank you so much for your reply. nI got the Phone-number of Sylvia, but heard that she was rather deaf. I did not want to Phone to her.Do not forget I am a Dutchman, and my bEnglish......
I would love to get in contact with a child of Leicester and Sylvia.
Is it possible that you give me more information about the Smith family? I would be very greatful for that.
I can give you lots of information about what happened in the evening of March 27 1945.
And, what the family Smith does not know: I found the place where the propeller of the Mosquito of Smith and Lane came down. I spoke three witnesses, who could tell me about it. It is written in my book about the crash. There is another memarkable fact. After the collision Leicester and his navigator returned to England. Hudson and Gant crashed. But, there are two crash-places. It was not known. When Leicester and Sylvia came to Holland they visited the second crash-place. Not the first one. Nobody knew it, till last year. We have located the first crash-place, where an engine and propeller must be in the ground. These weeks the municipality Roden is talking about digging up propeller and engine. But! Maybe on that spot there is a problem. Are there human remains? It is possible. Radio and television will be there when the digging will start. We have been on the place with a ground radar. There were two hits. So the complete story about what happened is clear now. The engione and propeller fell from the burning left wing of the Mosquito. Seconds after that the air craft came down. About 110 pages is the book till now. I would love to correspond with Ann. Is that possible? And if I can give you information; please ask!
Best regards and thanks again.
Tjerk Karsijns, Roden, Netherlands.

Hello again.
I have another question;
The navigator of Leicester Smith was the Englishman William (Bill) Lane.
William was born on Jan. 15 1920. He died in the Infirmery Hospital (Leigh Distr) on May 1 1992.
I know that William had a bike-shop on Ladies Lane.
He is buried in Hendley. His mother was Elsie(?) Lane. His wife Ella(?)
I would like to know about his parents, brothers and/or sisters. Where did he grow up etc.
If anybody can help me with information I would be greatful for that. I already sent a lot of mail to England, but it is difficult to learn more about William Lane.
Thank you for your efforts

Hello,
What I forgot to tell you; I also have here the book, written by Leicester Smith; Pathfinder, Wings In A Crowded Sky.It has 184 pages. A lot of information in this book I could put in my book.
We got this book in 2004. What is written by Leicester Smith on the first page of the book:

Auckland New Zealand, 13 th May 2004
The Library Orange Committee Zevenhuizen, Holland
With our compliments to you and your Orange Committee, sincerely Leicester G Smith DFC RAF-RNZAC and Sylvia B. J Smith.

Hello everybody
This is my last message on this site about the crash of the Havilland Mosquito of Smith and Lane and Hudson and Gant.
I have all the information now I was looking for. And, contact with the families.
The story about what happened in March 1945 is now complete. The book I am writing is now about 120 pages.The life-story of both crews and the flight of both Mosquitoes is on paper now. Many witnesses in the Netherlands have told me what happened after the collision, so now there are no questions anymore.

There is always that one last question ;)