Victor Smith

Admiral Sir Victor Alfred Trumper Smith, (9 May 1913 – 10 July 1998) was a senior officer in the Royal Australian Navy. Smith's career culminated with his appointment as chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee—forerunner of the role of Australia's Chief of the Defence Force—from 1970 to 1975, following an earlier term as Chief of Naval Staff from 1968 to 1970.

Early life Smith was born in Chatswood, New South Wales on 9 May 1913, to George and Una Smith, and was named after his uncle, Victor Trumper, a distinguished Australian cricketer. He was educated at Chatswood Public School, where he participated in such sports as swimming, tennis and rugby and was also a member of the Chatswood Wolf Cub Pack.

Early career After deciding to embark on a naval career, Smith entered the Royal Australian Naval College as a cadet midshipman in January 1927. He attended the college for three-and-a-half years before receiving a further six months of training at Flinders Naval Depot. In January 1931, Smith was then posted to , and in May was promoted to midshipman. In July the following year, he was posted to for service with the Mediterranean Fleet. Promoted to acting sub-lieutenant, Smith was sent to England where he assumed a number of courses until October 1934, when he returned to HMAS Canberra. He served with the ship until March 1936, when he was promoted to lieutenant and posted to .

In August, Smith was sent to join No. 807 Fighter Squadron aboard . The ship was used to protect convoys in the Western Approaches against the German Condor aircraft. In February 1941, the squadron joined , and was tasked with the protection of shipping off the African coast. In April, the squadron joined Ark Royal, where Smith served until the ship was sunk off Gibraltar on 30 November by . During this time, Smith had been shot down twice, each time managing to be picked up by a destroyer.

After the sinking of the Ark Royal, Smith returned to Australia where he was appointed as liaison officer to the United States Navy heavy cruiser . He served in this position until May, when he was appointed to HMAS Canberra as the observer for aircraft.

Smith was appointed Executive Officer of in January 1950, and served on the ship during its six-month tour of duty in the Korean War between August 1951, and February 1952. During this time, the Fleet Air Arm was conducting operations over Korea from Sydney; the first time it was in action.

Smith's next appointment was as Fourth Naval Member, which lasted twelve months. In February 1966, he was appointed as Flag Officer Commanding HM Australian Fleet prior to assuming the office of Deputy Chief of Naval Staff. Promoted to vice admiral in April 1968, Smith was appointed Chief of Naval Staff, The following year, Smith was knighted as a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

In November 1970, before retiring in November; just short of forty-nine years naval service.

Later life Smith was active in his retirement, serving in various posts such as President of the ACT/Queanbeyan Division of Birthright, an Australia-wide organisation which assists single parents with dependent children, and as patron of the ACT Rugby League. Smith died on 10 July 1998, at the age of 85.