Eric William SMYTH

Eric enlisted in the Citizen Military Forces (Reserves) with Service No 276791 on 26 May 1938 and was posted to 11th Infantry Battalion. He was promoted Corporal on 1 May 1940 and Sergeant on 20 Mar 1941. At some point his Service No changed to W6970. He transferred to the A.I.F. on 29 Apr 1941, was promoted to Acting Sergeant on 12 May 1941, Sergeant on 8 Dec 1941. He was an original member of the unit, embarking aboard “ZEALANDIA” on 8 Dec 1941 for Timor as the Platoon Sergeant in “A” Platoon. He was promoted to Lieutenant on 4 Jul 1942 and was Intelligence Officer, Sparrow Force. After the campaign on Timor, he embarked with the unit, for Australia aboard the Royal Dutch destroyer “Tjerk Hiddes” on 16 Dec 1942.

He transferred to 1st Australian Commando Training Battalion on 23 Jan 1943 as an Instructor and returned to the 2/2nd on13 Apr 1943. He embarked with the unit for New Guinea aboard “DUNTROON” on 17 Jun 1943 as a Lieutenant and returned to Australia with them aboard “TAROONA” on 3 Sept 1944.

He attended Land Head Quarters, School of Military Intelligence, "B" Wing Course No 20 from 15 Jan to 24 Feb 1945 and re-joined the 2/2nd on 26 Feb 1945. After leave and reorganization, he embarked for New Britain aboard “TAROONA” on 9 Apr 1945 with the unit as a Lieutenant, Officer Commanding, No 4 Section, “B” Troop.

He returned to Australia aboard "SALAMAU" on 18 Jan 1946 and was discharged on 7 Mar 1946.

He was entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45, pictured below. He is now also entitled to the Australian Service Medal 1945-75 with a clasp