Robert Cunningham Smith

Lance Bombardier · NZ #20841

What this roll records

Added to the roll in August 2026 from the Auckland War Memorial Museum’s “L.R.D.G. Membership Roll, February 1970” — the New Zealand Association’s own register of its surviving members, which is the sole evidence for his LRDG service so far. He embarked as a Lance Bombardier with the 27th Battery, New Zealand Artillery (2NZEF Nominal Roll 2, p. 172, Second Echelon). He is a different man from the Smith, Ron already on this roll (#2579644, R.C.S.). No further detail has been found. Source: Auckland War Memorial Museum Online Cenotaph, record 146814.

Online Cenotaph record found in August 2026. A MOTOR DRIVER in civilian life; he enlisted in 1940 and embarked with the NEW ZEALAND ARTILLERY, Second Echelon (2NZEF Nominal Roll 2, p.172). His L.R.D.G. membership is taken from the L.R.D.G. Membership Roll of February 1970, and the record cites O’Carroll’s “The Kiwi Scorpions” among its sources. Source: Auckland War Memorial Museum Online Cenotaph, record 146814.

Read again in August 2026 for the detail the first reading did not take down: he embarked as a LANCE BOMBARDIER of the 27th BATTERY, N.Z. ARTILLERY, which is the rank this card already held. The Museum’s MILITARY SERVICE field names the LONG RANGE DESERT GROUP outright, citing the L.R.D.G. Membership Roll of February 1970 (Auckland Museum EPH-W2-11-27). Source: Auckland War Memorial Museum Online Cenotaph, record 146814.

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Not By Strength But By Guile