JOHN HENRY ‘JACK’ SMITH

Born

On 7 January 1926 at Ulverstone.

Connection to South Riana

Lived in South Riana.

Parent

Charles Alfred SMITH and Ella Mary Jane BOUNDS who were married in Ulverstone on 28 September 1918.

Siblings

Mary Vivian Amelia 1919 – bef 1955

Vincent Charles 1920 – 1993

Marjorie Josephine 1921 - 1994

Stanley Alfred 1923 – 1993

Zoe Margaret 1926 – 1998

Gweneth Fay 1928 –

Brenda Joy 1934 –

Married

Olive Clarice RADFORD (1919 – 2010) in Wynyard in c1984.

Family

Olive had 3 children from her first marriage -

Patricia 1937

Beverly 1940

Lionel

Gaylene 1953

Died

On 22 April 1993 at Westbury and is buried in the Westbury General Cemetery.

School Records

Not available

Military Records

Jack joined the AIF in Hobart on 12 August 1941 stating that he was born on 7 January 1923 at Waratah and giving his next of kin as Charles Smith of South Riana and claiming he was an unmarried lorry driver. His service number was T30980 and allocated to X Garrison Coy. In early February 1942 he was discharged for ‘having made a false answer on attestation’ (he had given a wrong birth date and place and had forged his mother’s signature). His papers state that his discharge was ‘not due to misconduct or discreditable service’ with his total service being 180 days. He was described as being 5’4 ½”, with a pale complexion, blue eyes and dark hair. He gave his place of residence on discharge as 84 Barclay St, East Brunswick, which is where his family was living.

He then joined the RAAF in Melbourne on 9 March 1944, Service number of 147758, with his next of kin again his father Charles of Ulverstone. This time he gave his correct birthdate and place. He served overseas for a time. He was discharged on 19 June 1946 when he was serving with the 2 Transport &  Movements Office as an L.A.C.   File not yet digitized

Photographs of John, his baptism certificate and medal photographs courtesy of John’s daughter Gay.