A celebration of the life of
Major General Neville Robert Smethurst AO MBE
20 September 1935 – 2 July 2019
RMC CHAPEL DUNTROON, ACT
19 July 2019
Antarctic 1960 – 1962
Lest We Forget
WELCOME
Chaplain Rob Sutherland, CSC
RECEPTION OF THE BODY
The body is carried into the Chapel by the SOCOMD bearer party.
Please stand and where possible face the coffin. Music: Lili Marlene
PRAYER OVER THE BODY- Chaplain Rob Sutherland, CSC
Please join in with the words in Bold Type throughout the service.
Hymn: AMAZING GRACE
All, supported by vocalist from RMC Band
Amazing grace how sweet the sound
that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
was blind, but now I see.
As grace first taught my heart to fear
so grace my fears relieved;
how precious did that grace appear
the hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come:
God's grace has brought me safe thus far,
and grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me,
his word my hope secures;
he will my shield and portion be
as long as life endures.
OPENING VERSES & PRAYER - Chaplain Rob Sutherland, CSC
EULOGIES
Record of Service: Brigadier Mark Smethurst, DSC, AM (Rtd)
Family Tribute: John Smethurst (youngest Brother)
Antarctic Tribute: Jock McGhee
Military Eulogy: Brigadier Paul O’Sullivan, AM, MBE (Rtd)
Special Forces Eulogy: Brigadier Chris Roberts, AM, CSC (Rtd)
Corrective Services Eulogy: Commodore Max Sulman, AM, RAN (Rtd)
Closing Tribute: Tom Smethurst (Grandson)
YOU RAISE ME UP
Vocalist from RMC Band
READINGS
Psalm 23: THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD – Jenny Smethurst
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear
no evil
for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
This is the Word of the Lord
Response: Thanks be to God.
ECCLESIASTES 3 – Colonel M R Ramsay (Rtd)
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the
heavens:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
This is the Word of the Lord
Response: Thanks be to God
THE SERMON
Chaplain Rob Sutherland, CSC
POEM “Just a common soldier” (A soldier died today)
Adapted by Ella Smethurst (Granddaughter)
MY WAY
Music by Frank Sinatra with slideshow
THE PRAYERS
Chaplain Rob Sutherland, CSC
Thanksgiving for Life
For the Faithful Departed
For those who Mourn
THE LORD’S PRAYER (said by all)
Our Father which art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive them that trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil;
for thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
THE FAREWELL
(Please Stand)
The Ode
Chief of Army Lt-Gen Rick Burr, AO, DSC, MVO – Chief Mourner
They shall grow not old,
as we who are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
we will remember them
We will remember them.
Lest we forget.
Lest we forget.
Last Post (Bugle)
One Minute Silence
Rouse
COMMITTAL PRAYER
Chaplain Rob Sutherland, CSC
Almighty God, our heavenly Father,
you have given us a sure and certain hope of the resurrection
to eternal life.
In your keeping are all who have departed in Christ.
We here commit the body of our dear brother Neville
to be cremated;
earth to earth; ashes to ashes; dust to dust;
in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who died, and was buried, and rose again for us,
And who shall change our mortal body that it may be like
his glorious body.
Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen
THE BLESSING
ESCORT OF THE COFFIN
(Happy Wanderer played by Army Piper)
The coffin will be escorted out of the Chapel by members of the
RMC Class of 56’. The Bearer Party, the RSM’s of SOCOMD, will
carry the coffin to the Gun Carriage.
The congregation is asked to follow the family out of the Chapel
and if possible, join the family behind the Gun Carriage to
Duntroon House.
A private family cremation will follow later in the afternoon.
