FED:Remains treatment defended: Minister

AAP General News (Australia)
12-17-2010
FED:Remains treatment defended: Minister

Veterans' Affairs Minister WARREN SNOWDON has defended the treatment of a Spitfire
pilot's remains .. which have been identified more than 66 years after he was shot down
in France.

The Australian pilot has been officially identified as RAAF Flight Lieutenant HENRY `LACY' SMITH.

The RAAF began an identification process last month after a French couple spotted part
of a Spitfire aircraft poking above an estuary in Normandy at low tide.

The bones of Lieutenant SMITH were put in an improvised coffin by a local museum.

Mr SNOWDON says he isn't concerned that bones of the Australian war dead are being
examined by members of the public without following military protocols.

He says the fact that we're now able to identify and give this person the honour he
deserves is the important thing.

AAP RTV ees/mn/af

KEYWORD: SPITFIRE (MELBOURNE)

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