Colin Smith, born at Harrogate on 13th May 1898, was the only son of Charles Christopher Smith and Victoria Alexandra Wilcock Smith. Educated at Balliol House Preparatory School, Harrogate and St. Bees School, Cumberland, he was subsequently apprenticed as an engineer.
In June 1916, Colin joined the 28th (County of London) Battalion (Artists' Rifles), transferring in October 1916 to the Royal Flying Corps, with whom, on 25th January 1917, he was gazetted second lieutenant.
On 11th March 1917, Colin was killed in a flying accident at South Carlton airfield, near Lincoln. In the inquest, held at 4th Northern General Hospital, Lincoln, Lieutenant W. H. Campbell, Canadian Infantry, testified that after taking off, Smith had completed one circuit of the aerodrome, reaching a height of about 1,000 feet, before switching off the engine to land. It appears that Smith forgot to put on the right rudder which was necessary to counteract the twist of the aeroplane, and the machine spun out of control to the left. At a height of some 400 feet, it suddenly dived to the ground. Major S. G. Gilmour, commanding 45th Reserve Squadron, Royal Flying Corps, said that Smith was learning to fly and was not a qualified pilot; he had been up on several occasions by himself, and this [a DH.2 biplane] was the third type of machine he had flown: he was a very promising, reliable man, and had the making of a good pilot.
Colin Smith was buried at Lincoln (Newport) Cemetery.