Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

SMITH William Arthur Rushbrook MB BS

1916-1944

William Arthur Rushbrook Smith was born, in Adelaide, on 28th December 1916.  He was one of the four children of William Sydney Smith, and Fanny Elizabeth, nee Rushbrook of 61 East Terrace, Adelaide. His siblings were Avis, Millie and Gladys. Smith was educated at St Peter's College, Adelaide, SA, and the University of Adelaide where he graduated MB BS in 1940. He had spent two months as a house surgeon at the RAH while a sixth-year student.

Smith joined the CAF RAAF Medical Branch on 30th March 1941 at the rank of flight lieutenant. He was posted to 1 RAAF Hospital for his ITS (Initial Training Course) from 3rd November 1941 and to 2 AOS from 24th November 1941. He married Sylvia on 16th May 1942 and was posted to HQ No 1 Training Group from 25th June 1942, to No 2 ANS from 14th October 1942 to 1 Operational Training Unit from 10th May 1943 to No 1 Reserve Pool from 1st October 1943 and to 100 Squadron from 5th October 1943. Before his transfer to 100 Squadron an assessment, in September 1943, described him as a ‘definite asset to the section. He has been dependable’; in addition, he had shown a ‘thorough knowledge of medical administration’ and was ‘tactful and diplomatic in his duties and …proved himself popular in the mess’.  He was promoted to acting squadron leader on 1st May 1944. William Arthur Rushbrook Smith died of a self-inflicted bullet wound at Tadji, in New Guinea, on 24th June 1944 and is buried in Lae, New Guinea.  A Court of Inquiry found that he died as a result of injuries caused by a .38 steel bullet fired by himself in his tent at Tadji at approximately 0330 on 24th June 1944. It was concluded that the injuries were self-inflicted and a consequence of the deceased’s unsound mind which was wholly due to the conditions of his service. He is buried in the UK Commonwealth War Graves, in the Lae Cemetery, PNG. He was survived by his wife, Sylvia Antoinette Ninon Smith, and son Justin Rushbrook Smith who had been born on 15th February 1943.

Source

Blood, Sweat and Fears III: Medical Practitioners South Australia, who Served in World War 2. 

Swain, Jelly, Verco, Summers. Open Books Howden, Adelaide 2019. 

Uploaded by Annette Summers AO RFD