Bill Smith, an only child, grew up in country Victoria, in the Mansfield district. At the onset of the Depression the family moved to the city, his father believing there would be better educational opportunities for Bill in the city than in the country. In 1929, at the age of twelve, Bill started with the Christian Brothers at their East Melbourne College in Victoria Parade, and was there until he moved to St Kevin’s College in 1932. When he left school he worked for a time in the Commonwealth …
