John Gerrard ASHCROFT-SMITH

8 January 2001, aged 77

‘Smithy’, as he was always known during his 18 years in Port Moresby, was born in Adelaide. He grew up in Melbourne and always regarded that city as his home. After serving in the AIF and the RAAF, he worked for a short time in Melbourne before going to Port Moresby. There he worked in the Department of Customs and the Office of the Statistician. He met his future wife Kay in Port Moresby and they married in 1951.

In Melbourne Smithy began what was to become a lifelong commitment to ex-service associations and clubs as a founding member of the very successful Caulfield Central Ex-Services Club. He was Secretary of the local RSL for a number of years and will also be remembered for his contribution to the Konedobu Club, The Pacific Service Club and the PNG Automobile Association. He returned to Australia in 1966 with his wife and two children and made his home in Willoughby. He joined Tucker & Co. as customs and shipping manager where he remained until his retirement in 1988. In Sydney he resumed his interests in helping his ex-service comrades. He joined the Anzac Memorial Club and the RAAF Association & Club, and was elected president of the Air Force Club in 1979 and held this position until his death. He is survived by his wife, Kay, children Veronica and Michael, and six grandchildren. Kay Ashcroft-Smith