THEY thought he would be forever lost fathoms deep in the English Channel. But the last traces of World War II fighter pilot Bill Smith were found in his wrecked Spitfire on land, five metres under a French farmer's paddock.
Filmmakers were looking for another Spitfire - the devilishly fast British warplane made famous during the Battle of Britain. Instead they found the bones of Sergeant William James Smith and the bones of his aircraft. A dogtag was found, with Smith's name, attached to a lucky coin, and a St Christopher pendant.
Bert Smith, 84, is William's brother, his only surviving direct relative. He was stunned to find out that his brother wasn't lost at sea but discovered on earth, after all this time.
''The family always thought and the RAAF always thought that he was in the Channel,'' he says. ''I thought perhaps one day a fishing trawler would hook up his plane and he would be in it.''
On Monday Bert, his wife, June, and 14 family members, including children (they have nine), grandchildren, nieces, nephews, grandnieces and nephews, will go to northern France for Bill Smith's reinterment next Thursday at Cassel cemetery with full military honours.
It will be a burial with ''the dignity and respect he deserves,'' said Air Vice-Marshal Mark Skidmore, AM, of the RAAF. Representatives from the Australian and French governments will also attend.
Bert Smith is doing the eulogy for a brother who was 10 years older and a ''father-figure''.
''I'm sure I will cry,'' says Bert. ''I am that sort of person. But I owe it to myself and Bill to hold up and give a good address and make sure he goes off in the right way.''
Bill went to war in 1941. He had enlisted on Remembrance Day the year before. His service started in Britain with 452 Squadron and 457 Squadron, also Spitfire-equipped, in April 1942.
A month later he was ambushed while helping escort Allied bombers over northern France. There was a dogfight; he went down from 20,000 feet.
Then he was gone. The family feel he has come back to be seen off right. ''I'm feeling very proud to be able to do this for him,'' says Bill. ''Put this thing to bed. Where we know where he is.''