NG2058 Rifleman Roland Algernon Smith, 1903-25/11/1942.

Social and Personal

At the Wilford Tea Booms, Anderson’s Bay, on Wednesday evening, a, farewell party was hold in honour of Mr Roland Smith (late of Skippers), who leaves shortly to take up a position in gold mines in New Guinea. The guests were received by Mr and Mrs A. E. Smith, and a most enjoyable evening was spent in dancing, games, and competitions, several members of the company entertaining with songs and recitations.  -Evening Star, 7/8/1937.

Roland Smith was on his way to Wau, a place with an interesting origin.  Alluvial gold was discovered in the New Guinea highlands in 1926 and rich returns reported. From the beginning of the rush it was realised that the best way to reach the field was by air, a half hour flight replacing a week's jungle trek, and miners hacked out an airstrip. It was decided that the most efficient way to mine it would be by dredging so a gold dredge was taken apart, flown in pieces to Wau, and reassembled.

Personal Notes

A party consisting of Mr R. Smith (New Guinea), Miss Gwen Smith (Dunedin), Mrs Crawford, Mr Donald Crawford and Miss Crawford Green Island, visited Queenstown at the week-end. They visited the Sandhills, Upper Shotover, on Saturday and returned to Dunedin on Sunday.   -Lake Wakatip Mail, 16/1/1940.

Social and Personal

Miss Gwen Smith, of Anderson’s Bay has left for Wellington, en route to Bulolo River, New Guinea, where she will stay with her brother, Mr Roland Smith.  -Evening Star, 9/11/1940.

It can be assumed that Roland Smith, though probably not his sister Gwen, was at the New Guinea settlement of Wau when the Japanese landed on the north coast of the island.  The Japanese strategy was to invade New Guinea from two sides, north and south.  The Battle of the Coral Sea ended the southern arm of the invasion but forces from the north were approaching.  Bulolo was bombed by five Japanese bombers on February 5, 1942.

Roland enlisted in the Australian Army at the begining of 1941 and was in the unit known as the Australian New Guinea Administrative Unit when he died of disease near the end of 1942.

Lae War Cemetery, Papua New Guinea.  Photo courtesy of the NZ War Graves Project.

For the Empire's cause

In Memorium

SMITH. — In memory of our son, Roland, who died in New Guinea, November 25, 1942. 

No one knows, or ever can, 

How much we miss our dear Roland. 

His cheery smile, his loving ways, 

With us for ever will remain. 

— Inserted by his loving parents, sisters, and brother. 

SMITH. — In loving memory of Roland, died Wau, New Guinea, November 25, 1942. "Remembrance.”  -Otago Daily Times, 25/11/1943.

Wakapuaka Cemetery, Nelson.