COMMODORE Dacre Smyth, Melbourne artist, author and military veteran, has died at his home in Toorak after a long illness. He was 83.
During a long and distinguished naval career that saw him in action at the D-Day landings at Normandy in 1944 (the only Australian on the British cruiser Danae) and in the Korean War, Commodore Smyth was awarded many decorations.
In 1977, he was made an Officer of the Order of Australia. In 2004 he received the Legion d'Honneur from former French president Jacques Chirac at the 60th anniversary of D-Day. He also received the French Order of Merit in 1994.
Commodore Smyth was born in London, the son of British military hero General Sir Nevill Smyth, who was awarded the Victoria Cross for rescuing a group of war correspondents during the Battle of Omdurman, in Sudan, in 1898.
Dacre Smyth then 21
At an early age he settled with his family in Melbourne and was educated at Geelong Grammar. He served on various ships, including HMAS Australia, HMAS Norman and HMAS Latrobe. Among his many public positions, Commodore Smyth was a director of David Syme & Co Ltd (now The Age Company Limited, publishers of The Age), 1982 to 1994, and trustee then deputy chairman of the Shrine of Remembrance. He was also a prolific amateur artist, held more than 20 solo exhibitions and published 14 books of his works, which included lighthouses, historic ships, riverboats, waterfalls and bridges.
Commodore Smyth is survived by his wife, Jenny, a son, Osmond, and three daughters, Benita, Bronwen and Bambi. A fourth daughter, Belinda, pre-deceased him. Funeral arrangements are to be announced.