The AIF Project

Ernest Alfred George SMITH

Regimental number2645
Place of birthNewcastle New South Wales
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationShunter
AddressCardiff, near Newcastle, New South Wales
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation29
Next of kinFather, John Thomas Smith, Cardiff, near Newcastle, New South Wales
Enlistment date14 September 1916
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name38th Battalion, 5th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/55/2
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A24 Benalla on 9 November 1916
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll38th Battalion
FateReturned to Australia 28 November 1918
Medals

Military Medal

'Near PROYART on 11th August, 1918, Private SMITH volunteered to go with Lance Corporal LEWIS out to a German position which was causing a good many casualties to his platoon. These two men crawled out with bombs to the post, under fire all the time, and bombed and then rushed the post. They killed two of the garrison and captured the remainder with three machine guns. Having cleared up this post these two men mopped up two other posts and brought back a total of 11 prisoners. The bravery and recklessness of these two men was a great help and inspiration to their comrades.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 61
Date: 23 May 1919

Other details

War service: Western Front

Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal

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