Victor Smith was educated at Chatswood Public School, where he participated in such sports as swimming, tennis and rugby and was a member of the Chatswood Wolf Cub Pack.
10 Facts About Victor Smith
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Victor Smith attended the college for three-and-a-half years before receiving a further six months of training at Flinders Naval Depot.
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Victor Smith remained on the ship until August 1939, when he left for England to attend a Meteorological Course.
4.
In 1940, Victor Smith took part in operations off Norway with Ark Royal, before receiving a posting to No 821 Squadron based at RNAS Hatston.
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Victor Smith served aboard the cruiser until it was sunk in the Battle of Savo Island during the Guadalcanal landings on 9 August 1942.
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Victor Smith was next appointed Air Planning Officer on the staff of the Vice Admiral, British Pacific Fleet, retaining this position until 1 October 1945.
7.
Victor Smith returned to Australia in January 1947, as a member of the Australian Naval Aviation Planning Staff.
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Victor Smith served in this position until November 1959, when he was selected to attend the Imperial Defence College, London.
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The rank was made permanent in 1963, and Victor Smith served as Second Naval Member at the Navy Office.
10.
In November 1970, Victor Smith was appointed Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee and promoted to the rank of admiral, becoming the first Australian to achieve that rank.