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| Leslie & David abt 1943 |
Remembering today my father David Smith, who would have been 75 this year 16th February, but who was taken too soon, 26 November 2003.
He was born 16 February 1940, Dartford, Kent, England to Lilian and Leslie Smith. Both Lilian and Leslie were staunch Salvationists.
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| Lilian, Leslie and baby David 1940 |
Leslie was sadly killed in the Second World War and Lilian and David emigrated to Australia arriving aboard the Asturias 4 June 1949. Leslie’s brother Frank had emigrated to Australia arriving aboard the Largs Bay in 1934.It had been Leslie’s dream to visit his brother and Lilian decided to do so in search of a better life in Australia after the rigors of a post-war England. Life was still difficult in Australia and David was placed in the Salvation Army home in Goulburn while Lilian worked at the People’s Palace in Sydney. She was able to eventually find work in Goulburn.
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| David with his dog before they went back to England 1953 |
After the year with the family they returned to Australia. David joined the New South Railways as a porter and gradually worked his way up to shunter. He had wanted to be called up for National Service and when this didn’t happen he joined the Army instead in 1958 and gets transferred to Brisbane
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| David Smith 1960 3RAR Enoggera Qld |
He met Violet Busby at a church picnic and spent some time with her on the drive home as she had gotten travel sick on the bus. He drove her home and they started dating and in March 1961 they married.
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| David Smith & Violet Noreen Busby March 1961 |
From there they would start their new life.
Today Father’s Day in Australia, remembering my father David Smith lost too soon.