LEA-SMITH, Tracy John
| Service Number: | VX78043 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 1 April 1942, Caulfied, Victoria, Australia |
| Last Rank: | Corporal |
| Last Unit: | 2nd/6th Independent Company (Cavalry Commando Squadron) |
| Born: | Subiaco, Western Australia, 11 June 1918 |
| Home Town: | Trafalgar, Baw Baw, Victoria |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Pastry cook |
| Memorials: |
World War 2 Service
| 1 Apr 1942: | Enlisted Caulfied, Victoria, Australia | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Apr 1942: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Corporal, VX78043 | |
| 2 Aug 1942: | Embarked Tasman | |
| 31 Jan 1946: | Discharged Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Corporal, 2nd/6th Independent Company (Cavalry Commando Squadron) | |
| Date unknown: | Involvement Corporal, VX78043, 2nd/6th Independent Company (Cavalry Commando Squadron) |
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Honner Force
Associated with VX78043 Corporal Lea-Smith, 2/7 Cavalry Commando Regiment. In 1942, Private Lea-Smith was a member of Honner Force. Honner Force had an approximate strength of one Battalion (500 men) under command of Lieutenant Colonel Honner. It was made up of one company from each of 36, 55, and 49 Australian Infantry Battalions, plus a detachment of 6 Australian Independent Company.
It was sent out by New Guinea Force via Laloki and Goldie River, on 12 September 1942, to cut enemy lines of communication between Menari and Nauro. It was under the command of 7 Division. After making some advances the force divided into smaller units.
On 1 October Lieutenants Fielding, Egan & Ireland with 37 other ranks left camp to make a reconnaissance of the area forward of Mount Tamala and Mount Silia to obtain information on the country around Kagi, Efogi and Nauru in preparation for a proposed attack.
Lea-Smith was a member of Lieutenant Fielding's patrol. The 2/6th Company never participated in the attack as it was withdrawn to form the advance guard to the force sent to attack Buna. Private Lea-Smith was later promoted to Corporal, then Sergeant and fought in the Ramu River Valley region of New Guinea.
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