Also Served: William Frederick Smith - William Frederick SMITH
39, Cross Street, Prescot AM3 248844, Royal Air Force William was born in Prescot on 29th May 1896, the eldest son of Frederick and Elizabeth Swift. Though living in Prescot in 1901, by 1911, the family were living in Blackley, Manchester, where William, aged 14, was employed as a "Lift Boy" in a Warehouse. His father was employed as a Watchmaker and was a native of Coventry, which (like Prescot) had a significant watch making history.
William initially joined the Royal Navy (or more likely the Royal Naval Air Service) on 31st January 1918. At that time, he recorded his occupation as "Electrician". When the Royal Air Force was created on 1st April 1918, William transferred to the new service as an Air Mechanic.
After initial service in Great Yarmouth, he was posted to 230 Squadron operating out of Felixstowe, then on 13th March 1919 he moved to 4 Squadron, which had just returned to the UK after being based in France.
William was discharged on 1st July 1919. He did not serve overseas and had no medal entitlement.
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