[1] Smith enlisted into the Royal Engineers in 1914[1] with the rank of pioneer, and on 9 December 1916 was awarded the Military Medal "for bravery in the Field".
He gained his first aerial victory on 11 August 1917 by shooting down in flames an Albatros D.V over Deûlémont from a Sopwith 1½ Strutter piloted by Captain J. Pender.
104 Squadron RAF, part of the Independent Air Force, flying in an Airco DH.4 piloted by Captain Jeffrey Home-Hay.
[1] Post-war, Smith emigrated to Australia and was living in St. Kilda when he joined the Royal Australian Air Force at Melbourne on 11 April 1940.
He served in the RAAF throughout the war and was eventually demobbed on 24 October 1946 with the rank of Flight Sergeant.