James Vinton Smith
James Vinton Smith | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Parkside, Adelaide, Australia |
| Died | July 22, 1952 (aged 54) Malvern East, Australia |
| Occupation(s) | Stockbroker, politician |
| Years active | 1932–1937 (politics) |
| Known for | Member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly for Oakleigh (1932–1937) |
James Taylor Vinton Smith (3 November 1897 – 22 July 1952) was an Australian stockbroker and politician. He represented the Oakleigh constituency in the Victorian Legislative Assembly from 1932 until 1937 as a member of the United Australia Party.
Early life
Vinton Smith was born in 1897 in Parkside, Adelaide, to parents Thomas Ladyman Home Smith and Minerva Mary Daniel. He received his education at Adelaide High School before commencing employment at the Bank of New South Wales in Adelaide as a bank clerk on 25 April 1915.
Military service
On 1 February 1916, he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force and served with the 113th Howitzer Battery of the 13th Brigade on the Western Front in France. He attained the rank of Lieutenant on 1 March 1917. For his courageous conduct during an engagement on the Selle River in October 1918, he was awarded the Military Cross on 2 April 1919. His commendation emphasized his effective leadership after both his battery commander and another officer were incapacitated, successfully directing operations under intense enemy fire.
Political career
At the 1932 Victorian state election, Vinton Smith contested the Oakleigh seat in the Victorian Legislative Assembly. Although associated with the United Australia Party, he stood as an independent candidate against both the official UAP nominee and the incumbent Labor member, Squire Reid. Following the elimination of the UAP candidate, Vinton Smith secured victory through second preference votes and was promptly incorporated into the UAP parliamentary group. He received full party endorsement for the subsequent election in 1935, narrowly defeating Reid once more; however, Reid reclaimed the seat in 1937.
In 1940, Vinton Smith sought election in the federal by-election for Corio but was defeated by Labor's John Dedman.
Business career
After leaving politics, Vinton Smith resumed his involvement in finance by establishing a stockbroking firm. Upon his passing, ownership transferred to partners W.R. Dougall and F.J. Dean. The company operated under names including Vinton Smith, Dean & Dougall and later Vinton Smith Dougall, Ltd.
He held the position of chairman at Edments Holdings Ltd. and served on the boards of various enterprises such as F. J. Walker Ltd. (Sydney), M. B. John Ltd. (valve manufacturers based in Ballarat), Silk and Textile Printers Ltd. (Hobart), Modern Permanent Building Society Ltd., and Carpet Manufacturers Ltd. (Sydney).
Suicide
On 22 July 1952, Vinton Smith died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at his residence in Malvern East. The city coroner concluded that his death was a suicide, noting his severe heart condition and that it appeared to be an impulsive act.
His estate was valued at £204,593 at probate (adjusted for inflation).