Donald Smith (tenor)
At around the age of 12 years old he was sentenced to the notorious Westbrook Farm Home for boys (outside Toowoomba), where he spent some seven months for allegedly stealing and "joy riding" in a friend's sister's boyfriend's motor vehicle with some of his mates.
During the period after Smith's release from Westbrook, in his early teenage years, he continued to educate himself whilst working as a sugar cane cutter on properties in and around the Bundaberg area.
On 4 October 1941, during World War II, Smith enlisted in the Australian Army (47th Battalion AFI Military Services Number QX48665).
He was first transported to an American-based hospital ship, believed to be the SS Tasman, for treatment of his injuries, and where he also contracted malaria and his weight was down to 84 pounds (38 kg).
Although a natural tenor from birth, it is understood that Smith had his first "singing lesson" in Bundaberg with a lady named Kate Gratehead.
He also found additional work to support his young family, including that as a "lift driver" in a David Jones department store.
These included the lead tenor role of Sir Walter Raleigh in Edward German's opera Merrie England in Brisbane in 1944 - "The English Rose".
In 1952, after winning the Mobil Quest[3] singing competition, Smith travelled to Italy and then to England to study at London's National School of Opera.
In 1960 he sang his first Pinkerton in Giacomo Puccini's opera Madama Butterfly opposite the Australian soprano Dame Joan Hammond.
Here he performed many Verdi and Puccini operas including Rigoletto, Attila, Ernani, A Masked Ball, Girl of the Golden West, Tosca and Il Trittico.
He remained in the UK for six years and returned to Australia in 1967 to sing with The Australian Opera, where he appeared is such roles as Canio in Pagliacci, Manrico in Il Trovatore, Bob Boles in Benjamin Britten's opera Peter Grimes, the Duke of Mantua in Rigoletto, Dick Johnson in La fanciulla del West, Cavaradossi in Tosca, Radames in Aida, and the King Gustavus in Un Ballo In Maschera.
In 1968, the first opera telecast in Australia, Tosca, featured Marie Collier in the title role, Smith as Cavaradossi, and Tito Gobbi as Scarpia.
Smith enlisted in the WWII war effort on 20 December 1941, and was discharged from the 47th Australian Infantry Battalion (Service Number QX48655), of the Citizens Military Forces on 28 October 1943.
Therefore, it was during this time that his wife Joyce Lovett (who was on her way to hospital to deliver their first daughter Deanna), was advised by the Army that he was reported "missing in action, believed to be deceased".
After a brief period overseas in Italy and England, he returned to Australia, and sang with an Italian touring company in 1955, alongside singers such as Gabriella Tucci and Ken Neate.
In 1960 he sang the role of Pinkerton for the first time opposite Dame Joan Hammond's Madama Butterfly, performing in Brisbane at Her Majesty's Theatre.
He also performed at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, where he made his debut as Calaf in Puccini's Turandot opposite the English soprano Amy Shuard.
He established his career in the UK for six years, before returning to Australia in 1967 to sing with the Australian Opera in major roles including Canio, Manrico (Il trovatore), Bob Boles (Peter Grimes), the Duke of Mantua (Rigoletto), Dick Johnson (The Girl of the Golden West), Cavaradossi (Tosca), Radames (Aida), and King Gustavus (Un ballo in maschera).
In 1968, the first opera telecast in Australia, Tosca, featured Marie Collier in the title role, Smith as Cavaradossi, and Tito Gobbi as Scarpia.
His eldest grandson, Jason Cundy, was an English Premier League player for Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Ipswich, and played for England U21.
