Flying Officer CW Goldsmith

Links of Long Standing

CJ Laubscher was one of the earliest “University Air Squadron” members. The few others, included Johannesburg born CW Goldsmith and PHV Wells who were educated in England, studied mining engineering and were members of the London University Air Squadron. Bishops educated Anthony Ellerton Ryan Fry, another member of that Air Squadron had completed his degree and working in a Denmark brewery when he was called up after war was declared. Cambridge University Air Squadron members MR Hill, IBDE Hay and NJM Barry, a long-time school contemporary of Oxford University Air Squadron member Percy Burton.

Against Unfavourable Odds

The last South African to lose his life during the “Battle of Britain”, 23-year-old Flying Officer CW Goldsmith was born in Johannesburg’s East Rand gold mining area of Springs. A member of the London University Air Squadron, he commissioned in 1938, joined No 603 Squadron in July 1940 and died of his injuries on October 28th.

The Dreaded Telegram

Five South African pilots served on No 59 Squadron, Flying Officer Haswell, one of four who lost their lives was educated at St Johns College and commissioned as a Pilot Officer in September 1938 at the same time as another South African, Ian Bruce David Errol Hay. Haswell’s service number suggests he may have been a Cambridge University Air Squadron member. Their 1940 Flying Officer appointments were announced in “The London Gazette” on May 28th at the same time as Anthony Ellerton Fry and Claude Waller Goldsmith. IBDE Hay was the only one to survive the war.

The Dreaded Telegram

Denis Norman McCarthy and Anthony Ellerton Fry left Bishops in 1934. McCarthy’s post school activities are unknown. Fry, completed an Engineering degree at London University with Honours, a member of the University Air Squadron with PHV Wells and CW Goldsmith, he and Goldsmith were appointed Flying Officers in December 1939. Denis McCarthy commissioned as a “Pilot Officer on probation” on June 18th 1940, a few days before Flying Officer “Tony” Fry joined No 59 Squadron. Fry had flown more than 40 operational sorties when “The London Gazette” announced his and another former Bishops pupil Laurence Hull’s “Distinguished Flying Cross” awards on December 24th.