SMITH, Stanley James
| Service Number: | VX53447 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 17 April 1941 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 2nd/8th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | SKIPTON, VIC, 28 August 1920 |
| Home Town: | Not yet discovered |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Not yet discovered |
| Died: | Killed in Action, New Guinea, 27 June 1945, aged 24 years |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Skipton War Memorial |
World War 2 Service
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Private, VX53447 | |
|---|---|---|
| 17 Apr 1941: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, VX53447, 2nd/8th Infantry Battalion |
SMITH, Stanley James VX53447
Pte Stanley James SMITH VX53447 was born in 1920 at Skipton, the son of Wallace SMITH and his wife Susan Evelyn (nee MAY). He was brother to Wallace, Albert and Ruby, all of whom served. The Smith family paid a very high price for our freedom – both Wallace and Albert were taken Prisoners of War of the Japanese. The single Pine Oak at the eastern end of the bridge at Skipton is dedicated to Stan, who was killed in action in New Guinea on 27th June 1945. Stan’s mates contacted the Skipton RSL, wanting to plant a memorial tree for their mate, and out of this grew the plantation along the creek bank. Several of the commemorative plates have been lost, and some trees died, but these have been replaced, and a plaque has been placed on a rock near the creek bank in memory of these lives cut so tragically short.
Janet Walsh, Skipton and District Historical Society Inc.
Submitted 7 January 2023 by Kay Bell