SMITH, Keith
| Other Name: | Smith, Keith August - RAAF Enlistment |
|---|---|
| Service Numbers: | NX37032, 440252 |
| Enlisted: | 21 June 1941, Paddington, New South Wales |
| Last Rank: | Leading Aircraftman |
| Last Unit: | 3 Personnel Depot |
| Born: | Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 18 April 1922 |
| Home Town: | Sydney, City of Sydney, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Bankstown Boys High, New South Wales, Australia |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Died: | 5 July 2020, aged 98 years, cause of death not yet discovered, place of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: |
World War 2 Service
| 21 Jun 1941: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, NX37032, General Details Depot, Paddington, New South Wales | |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Nov 1941: | Embarked Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, NX37032, 2nd/2nd Machine Gun Battalion, Embarked Sydney for Middle East per board H.M.T "LL (Convoy 13)" | |
| 27 Feb 1943: | Embarked Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, NX37032, 2nd/2nd Machine Gun Battalion, Embarked Middle East for Sydney | |
| 20 Nov 1943: | Discharged Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, NX37032, 2nd/2nd Machine Gun Battalion, Discharged to enlist in the RAAF | |
| 25 Nov 1943: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Aircraftman, 440252, Brisbane, Queensland | |
| 31 Jan 1946: | Discharged Royal Australian Air Force, Leading Aircraftman, 440252, 3 Personnel Depot, Discharge from service -- Demobilisation |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Chris Buckley
Keith August Smith
Leading Aircraftman Keith Ausgust Smith (Service No:440252) initially served in the AIF (Private; Service No: NX37032), enlisting on 21 June 1941 with General Details Depot. Private Smith was attached to 2/2 Machine Gun Battalion when he embarked with his Unit on 2 November 1941 from Sydney for the Middle East, returning on 27 February 1943. Private Smith was attached to 2/2 Machine Gun Battalion on 20 November 1943 when he discharged to enlist in the RAAF. Leading Aircraftman Smith enlisted at No 3 Recruiting Centre, Brisbane - in his RAAF Attestation Papers, he gave his second name as August, gave false names for his parents, but used his correct place and DoB, and address in Sydney. LAC Smith served at Milne Bay (25 May 1945 - 25 December 1945) and was attached to 1 Malaria Coms Unit at Discharge on 31 January 1946.
Keith was born in Sydney, New South Wales in 1922, the youngest of six children of Henry (Harry) Smith (b1882 in Sydney, New South Wales) and Marion (Mattie) Martha Sherringham (b1881 in Penrith, New South Wales). Harry and Mattie married in 1905 in Sydney, where they settled and raised their family. Harry worked as a Motor Driver, Mechanic and Council Employee.
Keith worked in Sydney as a Labourer and Deck Hand prior to enlisting for service in WWII. Following his Discharge, he was a Motor Driver with the Postmaster General's Department in Sydney, and in 1950 married Jean Marion Elder (b1914) - Jean was working as a Clerk in Sydney. Keith and Jean settled in Sydney, where they raised their family and Keith worked as a Motor Driver, Foreman and Supervisor. Jean died in 1995.