Walter Edward Smith

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Sun, 20/12/2015 - 13:36

First Name:

Walter

Middle Name:

Edward

Last Name:

Smith

Mother's Name:

Alice Smith nee Chaffer

Father's Name:

Arthur Smith

Date Enlisted:

Monday, May 17, 1915

Rank at Enlistment:

Private

Rank at Discharge:

Private

Unit:

18th Battalion

Company:

Service:

Infantry

Awards:

1914/1915 Star

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Date of Death:

Thursday, July 27, 1916

Place of Death:

Pozieres, France

Cause of Death:

Killed in action

Details:

Walter Smith (Service No 1757) was born in Kiama, N.S.W. around 1887.

When Walter enlisted at the age of 28, he was single and worked as a gas worker. He embarked on from Syeney on board HMAT A61 Kanowna with 2nd Reinforcements, 18th Battalion on 19th June 1915.

Walter arrived at Gallipoli on 16th August 1915 and served until he was wounded while taking part in a bayonet charge, at which time he sustained a bullet wound to his hand. Walter was evacuated to hospital for treatment and returned to Gallipoli on 11th November 1915.

On 16th December 1915 Walter was wounded a second time and evacuated to hospital for treatment of a gun shot wound to his hip.

On 3rd April 1916 he re-joined his unit in France. Walter was taking part in the Somme battles when he was killed in action near Pozieres on 27th July 1916.

There is no known grave for Walter; he is commemorated on the Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneaux.

Sources:

NAA: B2455, SMITH W