On Tuesday, 10 September, 1974 the Royal Regiment and the Australian community suffered a great loss in the untimely passing of our comrade and friend Major K.A.R. SMITH, MBE, ED.

During World War 2 Keith served in New Guinea and post-war continued his service with the Royal Regiment in the CMF until 1973. Keith was very proud of his unit, 9 LAA Regiment, attaining the position of Battery Captain prior to being posted to HQ RAA 2 Division as SORA 2. This posting enabled Keith to fully exploit his natural respect and affection for his Gunner colleagues as he took every opportunity to participate in the Annual Camps and training parades of the Divisional RAA units.

During this period and in fact until the very day of his demise Keith prepared and edited copy for GUNFIRE, the journal of the Royal Australian Artillery Association (NSW) and all association members will agree that this little publication reflected Major Keith Smith's innate affection for the Regiment and will truly be a monument to his devotion to past and present Gunners.

Concurrently with his Gunner activities, Keith served the last 12 years as an Alderman of the Municipality of Burwood including three terms as Mayor. In this regard it is noteworthy that Keith had been especially elected Mayor, in the current term, to preside over the Council's Centenary Celebrations. Here again his Gunner background and affection for the Regiment is evidenced as under his guidance the Royal Regiment was honoured by the Council conferring the Freedom of Entry to the City of Burwood on 23rd Field Regiment RAA whose depot falls within the Municipality. Major Keith Smith in fact was chairing the final meeting of the Council's Centenary Year when he fell ill and was forced to retire from the meeting to go home with his wife, Alderman Yvonne Smith. He died shortly after admission to Western Suburbs Hospital.

Yvonne was a tower of strength to Keith in their important Civic roles and the many Gunner activities in which he was involved.

Major Keith Smith truly exemplified the maxim "Once a Gunner always a Gunner" and the world has been surely enriched by his presence and is the poorer for his passing.