Private Ronald Smith

Portrait of 3/400223 Private Ronald Francis Alfred Smith, Military Medal, 3 Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, Kapyong, Korea. Hele drew Private Smith's portrait when they were both in Japan. In 2000 Smith remembered the incident of Hele drawing his portrait: 'As I recall, I was back in Japan and one afternoon the orderly room sent for me. On arrival I was sent upstairs to a large sunny room where I was introduced to Ivor Hele - the artist. We were then left alone and Ivor commenced to draw my portrait, I remember clearly saying to him - "I can't imagine why anyone would want to capture my image." Ivor replied [that] I had an interesting face. Anyway, I think the portrait took about an hour to complete, Apparently I was chosen because in April 1951 I was awarded the military medal for bravery in the field during the battle of Kapyong. To cut a long story short Ivor Hele was a very nice man. However, I promptly forgot the portrait until some forty five years later I was escorting a group of Melbourne High students ...to Canberra...I was wandering with a group of students, looking at portraits when I saw my portrait. At first I walked past it and then a little tocsin rang in my brain so I walked back again and there I was, large as life. Well I can tell you it did my image no harm at all when we returned to M.H.S. You know how boys are prone to hero worship!'