MR. R. W. SMITH

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 28, 3 February 1942, Page 7

MR. R. W. SMITH

Members of the Returned Services', Association in the Kilbirnie district suffered a severe loss last week when the acting secretary of the Kilbirnie auxiliary committee, Mr. Robert William Smith, died suddenly while on holiday at Hastings. The .late Mr. Smith' had been a semi-invalid for the past five years/ but always took, an active interest, in R.S.A. matters and was prominent in the social, activities of the Kilbirnie RiSA. Club. Latterly he' also undertook the secretarial duties while the secretary was engaged on military duties with the National Military Reserve.

The late Mr. Smith was born at Wellington 48 years ago and was educated at Dannevirke, where his father, Mr. F. W. Smith, is a well-known plumber. Mr. Smith entered his father's business. He took a prominent part in sport, being a Hawke's Bay representative Rugby footballer. He went overseas with the 3rd Battalion, N.Z.R.8., and served until he was badly gassed at Messines. He undertook instructional work in England after his recovery and returned to New Zealand in May, 1919. He married Miss Elizabeth. Gertrude Enersen, of Dannevirke, in 1921, and came to Wellington in the following year, following his trade until five years ago. He is survived by his wife and four children, the eldest, Colin, being a gunner in th-> 2nd Field Artillery.

The funeral took place at the Soldiers' Cemetery, Karori, last Friday afternoon.