Benjamin Roxburgh-Smith

Benjamin Roxburgh-Smith (10 April 1884 – 1951) was a British World War I fighter ace credited with 22 aerial victories.

Roxburgh-Smith was commissioned as a temporary second lieutenant in the Royal Flying Corps in 1916, aged 32. After pilot training, he was injured and assigned flight instructor duty but he returned to combat duty in early 1918 with the 74th Squadron. Roxburgh-Smith was promoted to lieutenant, flight commander, and then acting captain. During World War I, Roxburgh-Smith destroyed 17 aircraft and shot down 5 others.

After the war, Roxburgh-Smith emigrated to Southern Rhodesia. He farmed for several years before obtaining a private pilot's licence. Roxburgh-Smith worked as a pilot before raising funds to start the Rhodesian Aviation Syndicate, which was eventually absorbed into Imperial Airways.

Roxburgh-Smith was commissioned as a temporary second lieutenant in the Royal Flying Corps on 12 August 1916. After completing pilot training he was posted to No. 60 Squadron RFC. In 1917, he was injured in the crash of a Nieuport Scout. Upon his return to service, he was assigned to flight instructor duty. and flew in Mick Mannock's "A" Flight. he shot down four enemy aircraft in both August and September, and in October five; two on 5 October, and three on 14 October, rounding out his score at 22.

List of aerial victories +Combat record after joining London Aeroplane Club.

Upon his return to Rhodesia in June 1927, he accepted a job flying as second pilot on an aerial survey for the Aircraft Operating Company. To garner the job, he qualified as the first South African commercial pilot at Roberts Heights, Pretoria. He was employed on the survey through February 1928. He was subsequently promoted to flight lieutenant on 20 September 1940. He eventually relinquished his RAFVR commission, and was transferred to the Southern Rhodesian Air Force Reserve of Officers on 1 October 1943.

Roxburgh-Smith died in Rome, Italy, in 1951 while on a tour of Europe.

Bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross Lieutenant (Acting Captain) Benjamin Roxburgh-Smith, DFC. "A leader of outstanding merit whose influence has had a great effect on maintaining the morale of his squadron. He has engaged in many combats with hostile aeroplanes, displaying marked skill and courage. Since May last he has accounted for twelve hostile machines." (7 February 1919)

Croix de guerre (Belgium) Captain Benjamin Roxburgh-Smith, DFC. "For valuable services rendered in connection with the war." (20 February 1919)