Milford Desmond Smith
From Our Contribution
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| Personal Information | |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | c May 1894 |
| Place of Birth | Beverley, Western Australia |
| Age at Enlistment | 20 years, 8 months |
| Description |
5'4" (1.63m) tall ; 150lbs 68.039 kg ; fresh complexion ; blue eyes ; fair hair ; hernia scar |
| Occupation | Farmer |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Next of Kin | Father , Mr. Samuel Smith |
| Military Information | |
| Reg Number | 1044 |
| Date of Enlistment | 3 Feb 1915 and 7 Jan 1916 |
| Unit/Formation | 10th Light Horse Regiment |
Pre War
Milford was a member of the 25th Light Horse Regiment prior to the outbreak of WW1.
War Service
Original enlistment on 3 Feb 1915, Milford was initially sent to Blackboy Hill as a member of No. 7 Depot Company before becoming a member of the 6th reinforcement draft for the 10th Light Horse Regiment on 16 Apr 1915. Milford was returned to Australia aboard HMAT A14 Euripides during August 1915 on health grounds for a hernia which was first noticed during a ride on 7 Jul 1915. Medical personnel at the 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital in Egypt on 22 Aug 1915 believed he required a radical operation in Australia. On his file is a response to an enquirer noting that he had been admitted as a suspected meningitis patient to the 5th Australian General Hospital in Melbourne.
On 19 Nov 1915 he was declared fit to return to full duties and he did so on 14 Dec 1915. Milford completed new enlistment papers on 7 Jan 1916 and returned to Egypt from Fremantle as a draft Sergeant with the 14th reinforcement draft for the 10th Light Horse Regiment aboard HMAT A69 Warilda. On arrival back in Egypt Milford was transferred to the 4th Division Ammunition Column on 7 Apr 1916 as a Gunner and posted to No. 3 Section.
Milford was promoted Acting Bombardier on 24 Apr 1916. On 24 May 1916 he was elevated to Temporary Bombardier, and on 28 Jun 1916 this rank was confirmed. On 12 Aug 1916 he was posted to the 4th Division Heavy Mortar Battery. On 20 May 1917 his rank changed to Corporal. Milford embarked in Alexandria on 6 Jun 1916 aboard SS Oriana for Marseilles where he disembarked on 13 Jun 1916. On 12 Aug 1916 he was transferred to the Z4A Trench Mortar Battery. In Belgium on 3 Jul 1917 Milford was admitted to 13th Australian Field Ambulance with Gingivitis, rejoining his battery six days later on 9 July.
On 12 Aug 1917 Milford was detached to the 2nd Army Trench Mortar School. From 23 August until 1 Sep 1917 he was admitted to the 4th Stationary Hospital for treatment for scabies. In need of medical treatment from the British 87th Field Ambulance from 11 - 13 Mar 1918, he was granted UK leave from 16 - 31 Mar 1918 before returning to Calais. On 13 Apr 1918 Milford was made an Acting Sergeant.
Post War
Notes