The AIF Project

Robert James Wright SMITH

Regimental number2713
Date of birth26 July 1880
Place of birthMansfield, Victoria
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationMiner
AddressMaindample, Victoria
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation36
Next of kinMother, Mrs Emma Smith, 35 St Vincent's Place, Albert Park, Victoria
Enlistment date1 June 1916
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name2nd Pioneer Battalion, Reinforcement 5
AWM Embarkation Roll number14/14/4
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A10 Karroo on 18 September 1916
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll2nd Pioneer Battalion
FateReturned to Australia 7 July 1919
Discharge date20 October 1919
Family/military connectionsCousins (1st): 5901 Driver Alfred William ROSS, 1st Field Artillery Brigade, killed in action, 16 August 1917; 20266 Driver Robert Paul ALDOUS, 7th Field Artillery Brigade, returned to Australia,11 May 1919; 7314 Pte Robert Bruce SMITH, 6th Bn, returned to Australia, 15 January 1919; 1st Cousin by marriage: 259 Company Quarter Master Sergeant Charles Collins CROME, 5th Bn, returned to Australia, 8 May 1916.
Other details

War service: Western Front

Embarked from Melbourne, 18 September 1916; disembarked Plymouth, 15 November 1916, and taken on strength, Pioneer Training Bn. Detached to No. 3 Camp, Parkhouse, 20 March 1917; marched out to No. 4 Camp, Parkhouse, 4 May 1917. Attached for temporary duty to Machine Gun Training Depot, 4 August 1917; returned to Pioneer Training Bn, Sutton Veny, Wiltshire, 9 January 1918.

Proceeded overseas to France via Southampton, 3 March 1918; taken on strength, 2nd Pioneer Bn in the field, 9 March 1918.

On leave to Paris, 20 January 1919; rejoined unit from leave, 30 January 1919.

Marched out to England for return to Australia, 16 May 1919; commenced return to Australia on board 'Chemnitz', 7 July 1919; disembarked Melbourne, 5 September 1919; discharged, 20 October 1919.

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal
Date of death30 July 1965
Age at death85
Place of burialBarmera Cemetery, South Australia

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