Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

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.