Allan Smith by Peter Cates

 



Our fantastic RSL SA delegate: Peter Cates



Allan Scott SMITH was born in Chatswood, Sydney on the 02 July 1908 to Cecil and Norah Scott-Smith. He was married to Amelia Scott-Smith from Bega in New South Wales.

Allan joined the Australian Merchant Navy on 26 August 1939 at the age of 30. He was a Third Officer in the Merchant Navy onboard the Hospital Ship, AHS Manunda which was anchored in Darwin Harbour when the bombing of Darwin occurred.  Despite her highly prominent red cross markings on a white background, the Manunda received several hits in the first Japanese air-raid on Darwin on the 19 February 1942.  Initially Manunda received a near miss with shrapnel going across her decks. Then a bomb exploded on B & C Decks, causing extensive injuries amongst the staff.

12 members of the ship's crew and hospital staff were killed, 19 others were seriously wounded and another 40 or so received minor wounds. 3rd Mate Allan Smith was among the injured.

Fortunately the Manunda’s main engines were undamaged and she was able to act as a casualty clearing station for injured personnel from other ships involved in the attack. Having collected as many casualties as possible the Manunda proceeded to sea and headed south to avoid further enemy attack.

Unfortunately, 3rd Mate Allan Smith died on the 20 February 1942 as a result of his injuries and was buried at sea between Darwin and Fremantle.

His name is listed on the cenotaph in the Adelaide River War Cemetery, Northern Territory. He is also listed on the Australian Merchant Seamen's Memorial, Kings Park Canberra.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts

Rocks, waterfalls, commemoration and the Governor General

Image
  The group at the commemoration ceremony for the 100th Anniversary of the Cenotaph with His  Excellencies  General  the Honourable David  Hurley  AC DSC (Retd) and Mrs Linda  Hurley. Today was a very diverse day with visits to a Zebra Rock facility, to waterfalls, a commemoration ceremony at the Cenotaph and then to Parliament for a reception and personal tour by the Minister for Veterans Affairs in the Northern Territory, The Honourable Paul Kirby. A day to remember, as the photographs show. Viewing and polishing the Zebra Rock Florence Falls Wangi Falls B ack to Darwin and meeting the Governor General After the ceremony at the Cenotaph With the Tasmanian Anzac Prize  group In the Northern Territory Parliament House at the reception, with the Federal Minister of Veterans Affairs,  The Hon Darren Chester MP and the Leader of the Opposition in the Northern Territory Parliament, The Hon  Lia Finocchiaro. In Parliament House with the Governor General, Mrs Hurley, the Hon Paul Kirby  (NT
Read more

During this moment I came to understand the sacrifice

Image
  The opportunity  to understand the remarkable sacrifices made by war service people By Harrison Geater-Johnson Early Sunday morning, 18 April 2 021, we visited the Darwin Aviation Museum. The museum was home to a range of aircraft, including renowned bombers, jets, and helicopters. Whilst walking around the museum I was amazed by the various aircraft, the stories and displays. One of the displays I found interesting was of Hajime Toyoshima’s crashed plane and his story. Toyoshima was a Japanese zero pilot. Toyoshima’s aircraft would be damaged by anti-aircraft fire during the Darwin bombing, resulting in Toyoshima to land on Melville Island. Toyoshima’s aircraft would be damaged further during the landing, breaking the propeller, and dislodging the engine. Toyoshima was later captured and disarmed by local Tiwi Islanders. Another display that amazed me was a wall full of Australian veteran memorials who had served in Vietnam. During this moment I came to understand the sacrif
Read more