3793566 Private Baron Frederick Smith, 5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment Age 21 from Brisbane QLD.
Private Smith was a journalist when he was drafted on 1st May 1968. Smith died of his wounds 11th August 1969 at the 1st Australian Field Hospital Vung Tau after a sentry from another section of his own platoon fired on him during a patrol earlier in the day in Bien Hoa.
A mate recalls:
"Baron, or 'Smithy' as he was referred to by his mates was a man of few words. He just got on with what had to be done. I recall that he never complained and always carried the M79 plus extra rounds for the M60. As a light sleeper, Smithy did more than his share of sentry duty, he used to say to me " I'm going to be awake anyway ".
I lost a good mate just 9 days before I was due to come home and found it difficult to accept our tragic loss."
Private Smith was a journalist when he was drafted on 1st May 1968. Smith died of his wounds 11th August 1969 at the 1st Australian Field Hospital Vung Tau after a sentry from another section of his own platoon fired on him during a patrol earlier in the day in Bien Hoa.
A mate recalls:
"Baron, or 'Smithy' as he was referred to by his mates was a man of few words. He just got on with what had to be done. I recall that he never complained and always carried the M79 plus extra rounds for the M60. As a light sleeper, Smithy did more than his share of sentry duty, he used to say to me " I'm going to be awake anyway ".
I lost a good mate just 9 days before I was due to come home and found it difficult to accept our tragic loss."
3793566 Private Baron Frederick Smith, 5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment Age 21 from Brisbane QLD.
Private Smith was a journalist when he was drafted on 1st May 1968. Smith died of his wounds 11th August 1969 at the 1st Australian Field Hospital Vung Tau after a sentry from another section of his own platoon fired on him during a patrol earlier in the day in Bien Hoa.
A mate recalls:
"Baron, or 'Smithy' as he was referred to by his mates was a man of few words. He just got on with what had to be done. I recall that he never complained and always carried the M79 plus extra rounds for the M60. As a light sleeper, Smithy did more than his share of sentry duty, he used to say to me " I'm going to be awake anyway ".
I lost a good mate just 9 days before I was due to come home and found it difficult to accept our tragic loss."
Private Smith was a journalist when he was drafted on 1st May 1968. Smith died of his wounds 11th August 1969 at the 1st Australian Field Hospital Vung Tau after a sentry from another section of his own platoon fired on him during a patrol earlier in the day in Bien Hoa.
A mate recalls:
"Baron, or 'Smithy' as he was referred to by his mates was a man of few words. He just got on with what had to be done. I recall that he never complained and always carried the M79 plus extra rounds for the M60. As a light sleeper, Smithy did more than his share of sentry duty, he used to say to me " I'm going to be awake anyway ".
I lost a good mate just 9 days before I was due to come home and found it difficult to accept our tragic loss."
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DEARLY LOVED & SADLY MISSED BY
HIS FATHER & FAMILY…R.I.P.
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