Odd Bod Turns 100

Odd Bod, Maurie Smith, will reach the special milestone of 100 years of age on 15th November 2023.

Maurie originally enlisted in Melbourne and started his war time service at the No1 Initial Training School Somers Course # 35and it is here that he met George Smith and Frank Sheenan. From there they went to Canada for the next stage of training at the No2 Wireless Air Gunner Course #66 in Calgary.

No.2 Wireless Air Gunner Course #66, Calgary, Canada. Maurie Smith is shown in the second row from the top, 5 in from the left. Next is George Smith and then Frank Sheenan.

Post the course he was drafted to the UK and arrived at the Padgate Reception Centre near Liverpool, before moving onto Brighton. He lost contact with George and Frank when he was assigned to a different Operational Training Unit, and it was in a hanger during the crew selection process that he ran in to Weston Bate, a long time friend from his school years, with neither realising that the other had joined up. Weston had trained as a pilot in Australia whist Maurie was in Canada.

VE Day at the Melbourne Shrine 2017. From left, Jack Bell, Doug Parry, Gerald McPherson, Weston Bate (Maurie's Skipper), Maurie Smith, and Frank Sims.

Weston being the skipper, was responsible for crew selection, and going against tradition, selected Maurie first (normally the Navigator was first pick) who would then go on to assist in selecting the rest of the crew. They stayed together for the rest of the war commencing on Wellingtons before being assigned to1654 HCU (Heavy Conversion Unit) on Lancasters. Together, they flew several “diversion” flights, distributed food to the Dutch and brought back POWs from across Europe.

"... back home"

Back home after the war, Maurie can remember being involved in meetings at his parent’s house with George Smith, Frank Sheenan, and others prior to the formation of the Odd Bods.

With the assistance of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Maurie gained entry to Melbourne University where he undertook a Commerce Degree. On completion he joined Colonial Mutual where he would stay for the rest of his paid working life. Starting in the Accounts Department, he progressed into the Investment department then into a newly formed Liquid Securities Department. He went on to head up the whole Department as the Chief Investment Manager and on leaving received a gold watch for 34 years plus of service and a letter of appreciation from the Board of Directors for his dedication and a job well done.

Moving into semi-retirement Maurie went onto doing the accounts and investments for several charitable organisations, most notably the Collier Charitable Fund and the Lily and Egon Weiss Foundation.

Maurie is currently number two on the MCCs (Melbourne Cricket Club) longest serving members list, having been signed up by his father when he was born and admitted as a junior member in 1934 when he was 11 years of age. The MCC is one of Australia’s oldest sporting clubs and one of the most sought-after sporting memberships in the world.

With the Odd Bods, Maurie has participated in ANZAC Day marches, ANZAC Day reunions, Wesley College events, and VE Day ceremonies, amongst others.

Maurie with fellow veterans at the 2018 ANZAC Day Reunion.

“Homeward Bound” is a series of articles written by Maurie and published on this website. (See link under Stories of Odd Bods in left margin)

"...highly respected Odd Bod"

The contribution of Odd Bods to the Australian way of life is well documented. Maurie Smith has been an important, and highly respected participant in much of our Association’s activities.  We wish Maurie a very happy 100th birthday, and congratulate him on achieving this very special milestone.

1. Maurie with Jack Bell & Doug Parry at Wesley College.   2. Maurie with Frank Sims and Jan Dimmick at VE Day service.

:Thank you to Gary Elliott for compiling this information.

COMMENTS:

Rosemaree Matta - "Congratulations and happy 100th"

Peter Smith - "Happy Birthday Maurie one of the world's true gentlemen thanks for being you."