SMITH, Richard James
| Service Number: | Q3287 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 20 December 1941 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | Not yet discovered |
| Born: | Nanango, Queensland, Australia, 5 October 1910 |
| Home Town: | Nanango, South Burnett, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Farmer |
| Died: | Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 27 July 1973, aged 62 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: |
World War 2 Service
| 20 Dec 1941: | Involvement Trooper, Q3287, WW2NR 5/1/1942 | |
|---|---|---|
| 20 Dec 1941: | Enlisted | |
| 5 Jan 1942: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Private, Q3287 | |
| 26 Oct 1942: | Discharged Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Private, Q3287 |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Chris Buckley
Dick was the eldest of four children of Thomas (Tommy) Smith (b1874 in Nanango, QLD) and Jane Gardner (b1883 in Ipswich, QLD). Tommy (a Harness Maker) and Jane married in 1908 in Ipswich, QLD and settled in Nanango where they raised their family. Tommy worked as a Labourer and Farmer.
Dick was a Farmer in Nanago QLD when he enlisted in the Militia on 17 December 1938 (Trooper; Service No:73822). He served with 2/14 Light Horse Regiment until 20 December 1941. In January 1942 he enlisted in the ACMF, and was a Trooper (Service No:Q3287) attached to 2 Reconnaissance Battalion when he was Discharged in October 1942. Several Cousins, brother Glen Thomas (Service No:QX54859) and Brother-in-Law Jack (Noel) Oliver (Service No:Q75735) also served in WWII.
Dick continued farming in Nanago QLD until his father's death in 1951 when he moved to Brisbane. He married Violet (Vi) Volz (b1922 in Brisbane, QLD) in 1953 at St Michael's Cathedral in Brisbane. Vi was a Shop Hand. Dick and Vi settled in Everton Park in Brisbane to raise their family. Dick worked as a Truck Driver. He died in 1973 and Vi in 2002.