SMITH, Noel John
| Service Number: | NX14999 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 15 May 1940 |
| Last Rank: | Lieutenant |
| Last Unit: | 31/51 (amalgamated) Infantry Battalion AMF |
| Born: | Kiama, New South Wales, Australia, 28 April 1914 |
| Home Town: | Kiama, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Dairy Farmer |
| Died: | Died of wounds , Bougainville, Solomon Islands, Pacific Islands, 9 June 1945, aged 31 years |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Brisbane 31/51 Australian Infantry Battalion (AIF) Roll of Honour, Cairns - 31/51 Australian Infantry Battalion, Port Moresby (Bomana) Memorial |
World War 2 Service
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Lieutenant, NX14999 | |
|---|---|---|
| 15 May 1940: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Lieutenant, NX14999, 31/51 (amalgamated) Infantry Battalion AMF |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Dianne Black
Parents: - Stanley Edward Smith and Ivah Mildred Love (married 21st June 1911 in Church of Christ, Kiama, New South Wales), of Kiama, New South Wales.
Lieutenant Noel John Smith was posted as missing in action on 9th June 1945. The following investigation by Captain B.W. Gerard established the following facts in relation to his fate. Lieutenant Noel John Smith was part of a company group which carried out an amphibious landing at Porton Plantation, Chabai St, Bougainville Island on 8th June 1945. At 10.50 hours on 8th June 1945 Lt. N. J. Smith was sent out in charge of a fighting patrol to destroy /capture Japanese Landing Crafts (HMGs). The patrol encountered an enemy ambushed and was forced to retire and go to ground. At approximately 13.00 hrs on 8th June 1945, Lieutenant Noel John Smith was hit in the wrist by enemy machine fire, the wrist was practically severed. At 15.00 hrs on the 9th June 1945 his companions left Lieutenant Smith to seek assistance for his wounds, at this point in time his condition was low and he was deleterious. This was the last time he was seen in the vicinity of the Japanese garden, in the Porton area which was still in enemy hands. Due to enemy occupation/activity of this site it was not possible at the time to search or retrieve the wounded officer. Therefore on the evidence produced in this investigation it was probable that Lieutenant Noel John Smith died from his wounds on 9th June 1945.
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