lying Officer John Duncan Smith was born in Greenock on 11th July 1921, the son of Agnes T Smith and Duncan Hill Smith, a plumber.

He attended Greenock High School before enrolling at the University in 1940 to study for an MA with Honours in History. In session 1940-41, John took classes in History, Scottish History, and English, and in session 1941-42 he took classes in History (Higher) and Logic.

While still a student John enlisted in the RAF and was placed on deferred service. He did not return to the University after session 1941-42.

John was part of 207 Squadron and was based at RAF Spilsby in Lincolnshire. On the 21 March 1945 he was serving as a navigator on a Lancaster Bomber which was lost without trace while on a mission. He was 23 years old.

John is commemorated at the Runnymede Memorial in Surrey, England.