James Arthur Smith

First Name: 
James
Middle Name: 
Arthur
Last Name: 
Smith
Date of Birth: 
Tuesday, April 7, 1891
Mother's Name: 
Jane Smith nee Willis
Father's Name: 
William Smith
Date Enlisted: 
Sunday, August 13, 1916
Rank at Enlistment: 
Private
Rank at Discharge: 
Corporal
Unit: 
6th Machine Gun Battalion
Service: 
Infantry
Awards: 
Military Medal
British War Medal
Victory Medal
Date of Death: 
Monday, August 29, 1983
Place of Death: 
Earlwood, N.S.W.
Details: 

James Smith (Service No 566) was born at Bulli, N.S.W. 

At enlistment James was single, 26 years of age, and employed as a grocer.

He embarked from Melbourne on HMAT A67 Orsova with 9th Reinforcements, Machine Gun Company 6, on 6th December 1916.  The troops arrived in England on 17th February 1917 and James joined 4th Machine Gun Battalion in France on 27th April 1917.

He saw service on the Western Front as a machine gunner, and on 26th November 1917 was promoted to Lance Corporal, then to Corporal on 19th January 1918.

On 4th July 1918 James was wounded in action and evacuated to hospital for treatment of a gun shot wound to his left leg. 

James was involved in the battle for Hamel on 4th July and on 26th August 1918 was awarded the Military Medal for his actions.  The citation reads, 'For bravery and devotion to duty during the attack near Hamel 4th July 1918. He was severely wounded early in the advance but remained in charge of his gun team until the final objective was reached and the line consolidated. He remained in charge directing the fire of his gun until ordered to leave by his section officer. By his bravery and determination Cpl Smith set a splendid example to his men.' London Gazette 21st October 1918.

James returned to Australia in February 1919 and was discharged medically unfit on 18th May 1919.

In 1919 he married Alma Aiken and they had 3 children.

James died in 1983 and is buried at Woronora Cemetery, N.S.W.

Sources: 
NAA: B2455, SMITH J A

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