Robert Benedict Smith
Born 15 Apr 1909 - Died 13 Jan 1993
- Service number
- WWII 34852 AWMM
- Also known as
- Robert Benedict Seymour Smith AWMM
- Armed force / branch
- Army AWMM
- Last rank
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- War
- World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM
About
- Title
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- Forenames
- Robert Benedict AWMM
- Surname
- Smith AWMM
- Ingoa
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- Also known as
- Robert Benedict Seymour Smith AWMM
- Service number
- WWII 34852 AWMM
- Gender
- Male AWMM
- Iwi / Hapū / Waka / Rohe
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- Religion
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Images
Documents
About birth
- Birth
- 15 Apr 1909 AWMM
- Date of birth
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- Place of birth
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- Birth notes
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- Address before enlistment
- WW2 Pre 1940-1941 AWMM 6 Hanene St., St. Heliers Bay, Auckland AWMM
- Post war occupation
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Smith_(rower)Public - Siobhan O'Donovan - Other relative - 22 February 2026 - Wikipedia
- Next of kin
- WW2 Mrs. A.M. Smith, 6 Hanene St., St. Heliers Bay, Auckland (mother) AWMM
- Relationship status
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Wars and conflicts
- War
- World War II, 1939-1945 AWMM
- Campaign
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- Armed force / branch
- Army AWMM
- Service number
- WWII 34852 AWMM
- Military service
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- Promotions/ Postings/ Transfers
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Military decorations
- Medals and Awards
- Military Medal (MM) AWMM
28 Jan 1943 AWMM
The National Archives. Recommendation for Award for Smith, Robert Benedict. (Ref. WO 373/23/434). Military Medal. Citation: "During the attack some few miles West of Tel El Eisa while in charge of a mine clearing party on the night 1st or 2nd November 1942, Sgt Smith displaued conspicicuous leadershup and initiative in the face of severe enemy fire. Almost from the start line to the final objective his section remained under heavy shelling and machine gun fire, but heled his men on and continued to organise and direct the work of mine clearing. He himself went forward and made hazardous reconnaissances, marked mined areas, lifted mines and dismantled booby-traps. He inspired confidence in his whole section and despite the difficult and dangerous conditions his cool example and calm courage played a large part in the expeditious forcing of a gap through the enemy minefields in good time for the passage of the armour." Gallant Acts and Noble Deeds, p. 284. AWMM - War Medal 1939-1945 AWMM
- New Zealand War Service Medal AWMM
- Military Medal (MM) AWMM
Training and Enlistment
- Military training
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- Branch Trade Proficiency
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- Enlistment
- WW2 Engineer/Military AWMM
- Age on enlistment
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- Occupation before enlistment
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Embarkations
- Embarkation details
- WW2 Sergeant AWMM New Zealand Engineers, 8 Field Company AWMM Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force AWMM
Prisoner of war
- Capture details
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- Days interned
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- Liberation date
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- POW liberation details
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- Liberation Repatriation
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- POW serial number
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Medical history
- Medical notes
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Last known rank
- Last rank
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- Last rank
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Biographical information
- 'Eighteenth Army Troops Company was flat out recommissioning the water pipelines and had two water barges transferring water from ship to shore at Matruh.
A 90-strong detail of 19 Army Troops Company was on the way to Benghazi; a 100-strong detachment of 21 Mechanical Equipment Company had arrived at Tobruk on the 24th.
Sixteenth and 17th Railway Operating Companies, with the help of an Indian and an RE operating company, were again working the 400 miles of track between Alexandria and Tobruk, where the enemy had obligingly added a few more miles of line into the port. Other rank decorations not previously mentioned were: Sapper F. Fenton, DCM, Lance Sergeant T. J. Higginson, MM, and Sergeant R. B. Smith, MM.
' (Source: Cody, J.F. New Zealand Engineers, Middle East. pp. 374.)
Bob Smith as he was known also recieved two Bronze Medals in the 1938 British Empire Games, for rowing. One in the men's double sculls alongside Gus Jackson; and one in the men's single sculls. AWMM
About death
- Death
- 13 Jan 1993 AWMM
- Date of death
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- Age at death
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- Place of death
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- Cause of death
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- Death notes
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- Cemetery
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- Cemetery name
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- Grave reference
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- Obituary
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- Memorial name
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- Memorial reference
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Memorial
- Memorial name
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Sources
- External links
- 'The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East.' (London Gazette, 28 January 1943, p.526.). Military Medal.
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/35879/supplements/526
Further Reference - The National Archives. Recommendation for Award for Smith, Robert Benedict. (Ref. WO 373/23/434). Military Medal.
http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=D7360642
Further Reference
- 'The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East.' (London Gazette, 28 January 1943, p.526.). Military Medal.
- References
- Cody, J.F. (1961). New Zealand Engineers, Middle East. Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Internal Affairs, War History Branch.
pp.374, 511. - Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force. (1941). Nominal Roll Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force No. 3 (Embarkations from 1st July, 1940 to 31st March, 1941). Wellington, N.Z.: Govt. Printer.
p.442 - Beattie, P.J. and Pomeroy, M.J. (2016). Gallant Acts and Noble Deeds: New Zealand army honours and awards for the Second World War. Auckland, N.Z.: Fair Dinkum Publications.; P.J. Beattie and M.J. Pomeroy, 2016.
- Cody, J.F. (1961). New Zealand Engineers, Middle East. Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Internal Affairs, War History Branch.
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