The AIF Project

War service: Egypt, Western Front

Taken on strength, 60th Bn, Tel-el-Kebir, Egypt, 26 February 1916.

Returned from Zeitoun School of Instruction, 25 March 1916.

Detached to Zeitoun School of Instruction, 29 April 1916; rejoined unit, 30 May 1916.

Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 18 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 29 June 1916.

Killed in action, 4.5 miles S.W. of Armentieres, France, 19 July 1916.

Statement, Red Cross File No 2550901, 4055 Pte C.H. ANDERSON, B Company, 60th Bn (patient, Australian Hospital, Boulogne), 22 July 1916: '2nd Lt. Smith was in the charge on July 18th near Armentieres. I saw his head and side blown to pieces by a shell. We were advancing then, but had to retire and leave those who had fallen.. He would probably not be identified.'

Second statement, 3540 Pte R. EMERY, B Company, 60th Bn (patient, HM Queen Mary's Royal Naval Hospital, Southend, England), 27 July 1916: 'On or about 19th July, 1916, at Fleurbys (sic), Armentieres, I saw him killed - he was lying in the trenches - he was not buried whilst I was there.' Interviewer's note: 'Informant intelligent but very ill.'

Third statement, 3854 Pte D. McCASKILL, 60th Bn (patient, HM Queen Mary's Royal Naval Hospital, Southend, England), 2 August 1916: 'He died from shock caused by high explosives just before we went over the parapet, he was killed instantly, it happened just before 6 O'clock p.m.'

Fourth statement, Lt G.B. RUSSELL, D Company, 60th Bn (patient, 3rd London General Hospital, Wansdworth, England), 15 December 1916: 'Informant states that 2nd. Lt. Smith was killed by a shell, death being instantaneous, at Fleurbaix, about 6 o'clock on the evening of 19th July, 1916.'

Fifth statement, Captain PEIRCEY, 60th Bn (patient, Moreton Gardens Hospital, London, England), 13 November 1916: 'On July 20th. 1916 at Fleur Baix (sic) Lt. Smith was killed in the trench by a Shell about 15 minutes before we went over the parapet. It was about 5 p.m. I reckon he would be buried in the Cemetery at Fleur Baix about ½ a mile behind our trench.'

Sixth statement, 2813 Driver J. CAIN, Transport (patient, 6th General Hospital, Rouen), 19 November 1916: 'Informant says that on the 20th July he went to Rifle Villa with Capt. (then Lieut.) Dixon who went there to see after a ring on Lieut. Smith's hand. They saw the body but the ring was gone. The body was buried at Rifle Villa Cemetery (Sailly Labourse).'

Seventh Statement, 2795 Pte P.J. BEARY, A Company, 60th Bn (patient, 3rd Western General Hospital, Cardiff, Wales), 30 December 1916: 'This officer was standing in the trenches about 30 yards away from me on July 19th 1916, when a shell fell near him and killed him. His body was taken down that afternoon and buried in the cemetery at Fromelles. I saw his grave several times after we returned from the attack.'

Eighth statement, 1655 Pte APSEY, B Compny, 60th Bn (patient, Middlesex Hospital, Clacton-on-Sea, England), 3 January 1917: 'Informant states that on July 20th, 1916, at Fleurbaix, Penny Avenue Trench, about 5 or 6 men, including Informant, were sitting together in a trench, a shell came over and killed most of them. Informant escaped unhurt. Liett (sic) Smith was killed instantly, and so death was very merciful. Informant was sitting next to him. Lieut. Smith had only just come up into the trenches.'

Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal