Sixty Saxon Saints by Alan Smith

Alan Smith was born in Newcastle and attended Newcastle Boy's High School and The Armidale School. He graduated from the University of Newcastle with an Associate Diploma in Industrial Chemistry in 1952 and a Masters Degree in trade and economics in 1982. He joined the C M F in 1951 as a Recruit Gunner in R Battery, 21 Field Regiment, RAA in Newcastle and was commissioned in June 1954. During the years 1954-55, he served with the Royal Artillery's SP units in Bloomsbury, London, and the Royal Canadian Artillery in Toronto, Ontario. He was made major with the Regiment but continued his military service with the 2nd Battalion, RNSWR as Support Company commander. His military education led him to logistical staff postings in the HQs of Communication Zone and 8 Task Force after further training. In 1966, he received the Efficiency Decoration and retired in 1968. His third 'occupation' is writing artillery history as Assistant Editor and now Editor of the Journal of the Royal Australian Artillery History Company, Cannonball. He was appointed to the Executive Staff of The Broken Hill Proprietary Company Limited in 1960 and occupied Personnel/Human Resource posts in Corporate, Steel and Wire Divisions during his 36 years of service to 1992.