Charles Henry Smith
From Our Contribution
 | |
| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | Not known |
| Place of Birth | Paramatta, New South Wales |
| Death | 22 Jan 1954, aged 71 |
| Place of Death | Perth, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 34 years, 7 months |
| Description |
5'8" (1.73m) tall ; 150lbs 68.039 kg ; fresh complexion ; grey eyes ; brown hair |
| Occupation | Locomotive Driver |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Address | NOK 556 Beaufort street, Mt Lawley, Western Australia |
| Next of Kin | Wife , Mrs Alice Smith |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 651 |
| Date of Enlistment | 1 Oct 1916 |
| Rank | 2nd Corporal |
| Unit/Formation | 15th Australian Light Gauge Op Coy |
| Date of Embarkation | 19 Feb 1917 ‒ 25 Apr 1917 |
| Ship Embarked On | HMAT A70 Ballarat Melbourne to Devonport |
| Date of Return | 12 Mar 1918 ‒ ?? Mar 1918 |
| Ship Returned On | SS Kenilworth Castle England to Durban |
| Date of Return | 28 Apr 1918 ‒ 13 May 1918 |
| Ship Returned On | SS Field Marshall Durban to Fremantle |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Monument | Gosnells Road Board Honour Roll |
| Medals |
British War Medal Victory Medal |
Pre War
War Service
On entering camp, Charles was allocated to the 91st Depot Company before being earmarked for Artillery reinforcements a fortnight later. As such he was sent to Victoria to undergo specialist training at Maribyrnong. On 8 Jan 1917 his pre war experience with the railways was identified, and he was transferred to the Railway Unit then being formed in response to requests from Britain. Promoted the same day to Second Corporal. The unit at this time was known as the 2nd Section, Australian Railway Operating Unit which embarked for England on 19 Feb 1917.
On arrival in England they were sent to Borden in East Hampshire, the specialist training base for railway personnel, before proceeding overseas to France on 29 May 1917 where Charles was a member of the recently designated 15th Australian Light Railway Operating Company.
From 14 - 22 Jun 1917 Charles was treated by the 98th Field Ambulance for tonsillitis, before rejoining his unit, and on 4 Dec 1917 he was again hospitalised. This time he
On 8 Feb 1918 it was decided to sent Charles back to England, and he entered NO 2 Command Depot in Weymouth on 9 Feb 1918.
Discharged by the 5th Military District on 30 May 1918
Post War
Alice died on 10 Feb 1959 aged 72 in Mt Lawley
Notes