SMITH, Keith Robert
| Service Number: | SX17449 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 17 February 1942, Adelaide, South Australia |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 108 LAA / later 101 Composite Anti Aircraft Regiment |
| Born: | Magill, South Australia, 22 December 1915 |
| Home Town: | Kensington, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Prospect Public School and Maylands Public School |
| Occupation: | Milk driver |
| Died: | Natural causes, Rostrevor, South Australia, 8 December 2002, aged 86 years |
| Cemetery: |
Enfield Memorial Park, South Australia Western Rose Garden Row BF Grave 31 |
| Memorials: | City of Kensington & Norwood Honour Roll World War II Book and Case |
World War 2 Service
| 17 Feb 1942: | Enlisted Private, SX17449, Adelaide, South Australia | |
|---|---|---|
| 17 Feb 1942: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, SX17449 | |
| 18 Feb 1942: | Involvement Private, SX17449 | |
| 4 Dec 1945: | Discharged Craftsman, SX17449, 108 LAA / later 101 Composite Anti Aircraft Regiment | |
| 4 Dec 1945: | Discharged Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, SX17449 |
Keith Robert Smith No. SX17449
Keith Robert Smith was born at Magill South Australia 22 December 1915. His parents were Robert and Caroline [Netta] Smith. He was the third child of a family of five children - 3 brothers and 1 sister.
His family moved to Copeville, a small town in the Mallee where Keith spent his early years. The family moved back to Prospect and Maylands, suburbs of Adelaide. Keith finished his schooling at the age of 14 years.
In his teenage years he moved back to Perponda a small town in the Mallee not far from Murray Bridge. His father had a farm and Keith helped him with the work. Keith later delivered greengrocery around the Mallee region for a local person.
When the farm was sold, the family moved to Northfield and Keith worked as a milkman delivering milk on a horse and cart.
Keith married a Victor Harbor girl, Mavis Bartholomew 10th February 1940.
17th February, 1942, Keith enlisted in the Army.
12th March, 1942, Keith was posted to 48th Battalion.
29th October, 1942, Keith was posted to 2 Aust. Ord. Workshop Company in New South Wales learning his trade as a Fitter.
1st June,1943, Keith was transferred to Darwin, Northern Territory
11th June, 1945, Keith was at the Brisbane Base Watercraft Workshop where he remained until being returned to South Australia for discharge on 4th December, 1945.
His posting at discharge 101 Aust. AA Regt. [AIF]. His rank was Craftsman.
After the war, Keith had a milk round, helped his wife, Mavis and his brother-in-law, run a delicatessan. He also had a wood yard business and at the same time ran an ice business.
Keith retired at the age of 60 years due to ill health, having worked for a number of years as a courier driver for the Lands Department.
Keith and Mavis had a family of four children - two boys and two girls.
Keith built a family home in Tranmere South Australia until ill health saw him living at Milpara Nursing Home, Rostrevor from 1982 till his death 8th December, 2002.
Lest We Forget
Submitted 25 July 2018 by Lyn Smith
Click images to start slideshow.