About this objectFramed portrait of Lance in army uniform, including slouch hat. Camouflage background. Framed with a gold frame. Brass plaque attached to bottom of portraits on the frame with "NX90867 Tpr Lance Mac SMITH
NAOU 1942".
MakerAnne Marie Ingham
Medium and MaterialsAcrylic on canvas
Subject and Association DescriptionLance Mac Smith was in 5th Platoon B Company of the North Australia Observer Unit, operating at Bradshaw Station near the Victoria River, Timber Creek, the Ord River Crossing, Wyndham and Cape Dussejour. They relied heavily on their old boat, “Bondi”, for mail that took six weeks from central NSW and for supplies of sugar, bully beef, tea, flour, tinned butter and the best, tinned cheese. Lance said that without aboriginal survival skills they may not have lived to tell their story. “Bondi” was sunk by a king tide in May, 1943 and they had to walk the 150 miles to Wyndham. Lance was transferred to 2/15 Field Company, his brother, Bruce’s unit, and was at Labuan, Weston, Beaufort and also Jesselton (Kota Kinabalu) until May, 1946.
Dedicated to Lancelot (Lance) Machattie Smith
Service: North Australia Observer Unit ('Nackeroo') WW2
Service Number: NX90867
Posting of Discharge: 2nd May 1946