A Priestly Life

Early Years

Edward John Smyth was born in Alma in the mid-north of South Australia on June 1, 1905. His parents, Francis Smyth and Catherine Fitzgerald married in 1898 and when Edward was born his sister Mary was three years old. He received his early education at the Alma South Primary School. He later attended the Good Samaritan Convent School in Gawler, a town founded in 1837 as the first regional town north of Adelaide. In his high school years he attended Sacred Heart College at Somerton.[1]

St Patrick's College, Manly NSW

He studied for the priesthood at St Columba’s College, Springwood, and St Patrick’s College, Manly, in New South Wales. The Archbishop of Adelaide ordained Edward John Smyth a priest in St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral, Adelaide, on November 30, 1931.[2] The cathedral, completed in 1858, is a significant landmark in Adelaide. Father Eddie as he became known, celebrated his first Mass at Tarlee in his home parish. Here is a report of that celebration.

Appointments

During the first years of his priesthood he was an assistant priest at Murray Bridge, a parish that at that time extended to the Victorian border. At the beginning of 1935, the eastern section was cut off to form the Pinnaroo parish, and although he had only been ordained for three years, Fr Smyth was made Parish Priest of that area. He was the first priest for the new parish. 

The people of the Murray Bridge parish farewelled him in the Druids Hall. Such was their admiration for him that they presented him with a roll top desk.[3]

Roll top desk presented to Fr Eddie in 1935 now owned by his 1st cousin once removed

Inscription on desk

Times were difficult in the new parish. In the previous months, several families were forced off their farms because of extended drought. Fr Eddie generously shared the hardship and poverty of the local people and supported his people through their trials and anxieties.(1)

During 1938, he spent some time at Dulwich in a temporary position, but then returned to Pinnaroo until 1941 when he enlisted as a Chaplain to the RAAF. He served in both Australia and New Guinea during World War II, a conflict that significantly impacted South Australia, with many locals serving in the armed forces.

RAAF Statement of Service

After discharge from the Air Force in August 1946, he was appointed Parish Priest of Willunga, where he remained for 28 years. Willunga, known for its slate mining and vineyards, was a close-knit community where Fr Smyth became deeply entrenched. He knew the people well and he made it known that he did not want to leave Willunga.

Retirement

In 1974, due to serious illness, Fr Eddie retired and took up residence in one of the Southern Cross Units at Northfield, in Adelaide together with his housekeeper Miss Mavis Sigston, who had looked after him for many years.

In June 1978, Fr Eddie’s cancer gained the upper hand, his health failed and he died on the 15th. His funeral Mass was celebrated in St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral on June 19.This notice was published in the Advertiser newspaper on June 16, 1978.

SMYTH. Reverend Father Edward John, Late R.A.A.F On June 15, only beloved son of the late Francis and Catherine Smyth of "Hillside" Alma, late Parish Priest of Willunga and first Parish Priest of Pinnaroo. Beloved brother of Mary of 3 Moore Street, Gawler. Requiescat in pace.

His funeral notice was published on the same day.

SMYTH - REQUIEM MASS for the Repose of the Soul of the late Reverend Father Edward John Smyth. will be concelebrated in St. Francis Xavier's Cathedral. Wakefield Street, Adelaide on MONDAY June 19, at 10.30 a.m. His Funeral will leave the cathedral after Mass for the Navan Cemetery arriving approximately 1.45 p.m. No flowers by request. Masses or donations to Anti-Cancer Fund in lieu appreciated. Holy Rosary will be in St. Patrick's Church, Grote Street, Sunday evening at 7.30.

FRANK J. SIEBERT Proprietor G. and B. Siebert

Fr Eddie is buried alongside his parents and sister in the Navan Cemetery near Riverton in South Australia.

Fr Eddie Smyth was my father's first cousin, so for my generation a 1st cousin once removed.

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SOURCES:

[1]Adelaide Archdiocese - Biography of Edward John Smyth https://adelaide.catholic.org.au/view-biography?guid=12868

[2]1931 'NEW PRIEST FOR THE ARCHDIOCESE', Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), 4 December, p. 7.https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/167057872

[3]1935 'VALEDICTORY AT MURRAY BRIDGE.', Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), 15 February, p. 14. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/167071314

This post first appeared on earlieryears.blogspot.com by CRGalvin