Edward Harris (Ted) Smith
From Our Contribution
 Birtwistle Local Studies Library | |
 Harris left, rear courtesy Neville Browning | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | unknown 1891 |
| Place of Birth | Natimuk near Horsham, Victoria |
| Death | 3 May 1962 |
| Place of Death | East Victoria Park, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 24 years, 3 months |
| Description |
5' 7 3/4" (1.72m) tall ; 138 lbs 62.596 kg ; fresh complexion ; brown eyes ; brown hair ; scar over left eye |
| Occupation | Timber worker |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Address | Roleystone, via Kelmscott, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Mother , Mrs Ann Maria Smith |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 1663 |
| Date of Enlistment | 6 Aug 1915 |
| Rank | Trooper |
| Unit/Formation | 10th Light Horse Regiment, 11th Reinforcement / 3rd Light Horse Brigade, NZ and Australian Division |
| Date of Embarkation | 22 Nov 1915 ‒ 14 Dec 1915 |
| Ship Embarked On | RMS Mongolia |
| Date of Return | 30 Aug 1918 ‒ 24 Sep 1918 |
| Ship Returned On | HMAT A18 Wiltshire |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Monument |
Kelmscott War Memorial (South panel) Roleystone Honour Board |
| Medals |
1914-15 Star British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
Electoral Roll entries - 1915 Greenwood, Donnybrook, hewer;
War Service
Entering camp on 6 Aug 1915, he was first sent to the 3rd Depot Squadron on 16 Aug 1915. At some point he was identified as a member of the 11th reinforcement draft for the 10th Light Horse. However, on 4 Nov 1915 Ted was allocated to the 12th reinforcement draft for the 10th Light Horse Regiment. This change occurred after he had failed to embark as originally planned with the 11th reinforcement draft on 1 Nov 1915. No reason for his failure to embark is included in his records, but he did travel with the 12th draft to Egypt.
Following further training in country, he transferred from the Heliopolis training base to Serapeum on 26 Feb 1916 to join the 10th Light Horse Regiment. Ted had a week in the care of the 3rd Light Horse Brigade Field Ambulance between 11 and 18 Jul 1917. Then, on 5 Aug 1917, Ted again presented himself to the 3rd Light Horse Brigade Field Ambulance before being admitted to the 24th Stationary Hospital on 11 Aug 1917 and then the 14th Australian General Hospital in Abbassia on 15 Aug 1917 with an accidental broken jaw (Court of Inquiry).
"The Court having considered the evidence are of the opinion that the blow that caused the fracture of Trooper Smith's jaw was the result of friendly horseplay and was unintentional."
Discharged to the convalescent hospital in Moascar on 13 Sep 1917, before returning to the 10th Light Horse Regiment on 14 Sep 1917.
On 28 June 1918 Edward was ill with malaria and was again passed through the medical chain 3rd Light Horse Brigade Field Ambulance; 34th Casualty Clearing Hospital; 47th Stationary Hospital; 24th Stationary Hospital; to the [14th Australian General Hospital]] in Port Said on 11 Jul 1918 where he remained until he was released on 29 Aug 1918 for the voyage home. Ted's medical discharge took place at 5th Military District on 13 Oct 1918.
"Has gone into camp from Roleystone and along with Keith Podger, Harris Smith and Frank Grabham was given a send off on Saturday 13th September[1]
Post War
Married Muriel Grace Unsworth during 1921 in Perth. Muriel died 23 Oct 1988 aged 94 in East Victoria Park.
Electoral Roll entries - 1918 c/- L Lloyd, Kelmscott, orchardist;; 1925 - 1926 with Muriel at 57 Gresham road, Victoria Park, labourer; 1931 at Burngup via Lake Grace (Lot 506 Roe District) farmer; 1937 Muriel also has tearooms in Lake Grace; 1943 Edward is at the Picton Hotel, WAGR employee; 1949 - 1954 at 47 Litchfield street, Victoria Park, railway employee, with Muriel; 1958 at 38 Westminster street, Victoria Park, pensioner. In 1980 Muriel was at 15 Walpole street, St James.
Notes
- ↑ The Drill of the Foot-Hills 1915 Sep edition p.8