Six: Lieutenant J. K. Smith, Royal Australian Artillery

1939-45 Star; Africa Star, these unnamed; Defence and War Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf (NX151 J. K. Smith); Australia Service Medal (NX151 J. J. Smith) these officially impressed; Efficiency Medal, E.II.R., 2nd issue (NX151 Lt. J. K. Smith, AIF) engraved naming, mounted court style for wear, minor contact marks, very fine (6) £240-280

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Long Service Medals from the Collection formed by John Tamplin.

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M.I.D. London Gazette 1 April 1941

John Keith Smith enlisted at Addison Road, Marrickville, on 8 October 1934. He was a Private in the 54th Field Battery, 14 Field Brigade, Australian Militia. He was commissioned a Lieutenant in the Royal Australian Artillery (Militia) in 1938. On the outbreak of war, he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force at Sydney on 27 October 1939 and was appointed a Lieutenant. Serving with 2/1st Australian Field Regiment, he took part in operations in North Africa around the town of Barce. Lieutenant Smith embarked for Greece on 10 April, 1941, and was reported missing, believed P.O.W. on 24 June. He was held prisoner in Oflag V B and Oflag VII B in Germany, being repatriated to the UK in May 1945 and arrived home in Sydney in August 1945. In September 1945 he was transferred to the Reserve of Officers, R.A.A., N.S.W. For his wartime service in North Africa he was mentioned in despatches. He was awarded the Efficiency Medal (Australia) in 1957, this notified in the Commonwealth Gazette of 9 May 1957. Sold with copied research and copied photograph.