Arthur Smith (public servant)
Arthur Sydney Victor Smith CBE (22 January 1893 – 9 February 1971) was a senior Australian public servant. He was Secretary of the Department of Supply and Development from 1941 to 1942.
Arthur Smith CBE | |
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Secretary of the Department of Supply and Development | |
In office 1 July 1941 – 17 October 1942 | |
Secretary of the Department of Supply and Shipping | |
In office 17 October 1942 – 11 April 1945 | |
Personal details | |
Born | Arthur Sydney Victor Smith 22 January 1893 Coburg, Melbourne |
Died | 9 February 1971 78) Darlinghurst, Sydney | (aged
Nationality | Australian |
Spouse(s) | Gladys Lavina Muriel Ford (m. 1918–1971; his death) |
Occupation | Public servant |
Life and career
Arthur Smith was born in Coburg, Melbourne on 22 January 1893.[1]
Smith began his Commonwealth Public Service career in the Postmaster-General's Department when he was just 14.[1]
Smith was appointed Secretary of the Department of Supply and Development in July 1941.[2] In this role, he spent March to June 1942 in Washington, at first to secure greater collaboration between Australia, Britain and the United States in fighting the war in the Pacific.[1] When the Pacific War Council was established, Smith was Australia's representative at council meetings.[1]
When the Department of Supply and Development was abolished and the Department of Supply and Shipping was set up in its place, Smith became head of the new department.[3]
Smith died in Darlinghurst, Sydney on 9 February 1971.[1]
Awards
Smith was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in January 1951.[4]
References
- Poulos, Judy (2002), "Smith, Arthur Sydney Victor (1893–1971)", Australian Dictionary of Biography, Australian National University, archived from the original on 7 May 2014
- CA 33: Department of Supply and Development [I] Central Office, National Archives of Australia, retrieved 8 May 2014
- CA 47: Department of Supply and Shipping, Central Office, National Archives of Australia, retrieved 8 May 2014
- "Order of the British Empire (Civil division)". Cairns Post. 1 January 1951. p. 1.
Government offices | ||
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Preceded by Jim Brigden |
Secretary of the Department of Supply and Development 1941 – 1942 |
Succeeded by Himself as Secretary of the Department of Supply and Shipping |
Preceded by Himself as Secretary of the Department of Supply and Development |
Secretary of the Department of Supply and Shipping 1942 – 1945 |
Succeeded by Giles Chippindall |