The AIF Project

Robert Claude Neil SMITHERS

Regimental number2454
Place of birthLorne, Victoria
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationLabourer
AddressLorne, Victoria
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation23
Height5' 7"
Weight148 lbs
Next of kinMother, Mrs M Smithers, Lorne, Victoria
Previous military serviceMember, Rifle Club
Enlistment date20 April 1915
Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll28 May 1915
Place of enlistmentDean's Marsh, Victoria
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name5th Battalion, 7th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/22/2
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A64 Demosthenes on 16 July 1915
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll58th Battalion
FateKilled in Action 19 July 1916
Place of burialRue-du-bois Military Cemetery (Plot II, Row A, Grave No. I), Fleurbaix, France
Panel number, Roll of Honour,
  Australian War Memorial
166
Other details

War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front

Embarked Alexandria to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, 18 October 1915; taken on strength of 5th Bn, Lemnos, 3 November 1915.

Disembarked Alexandria, ex-Lemnos, 7 January 1916.

Transferred to 57th Bn, 17 February 1916; taken on strength of 57th Bn, Serapeum, 17 February 1916.

Transferred to 58th Bn, 15 March 1916; taken on strength of 58th Bn, Tel el Kebir, 15 March 1916.

Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 17 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 23 June 1916.

Wounded in action, 19 July 1916.

Now, 29 July 1916, reported as 'Killed in Action, 19 July 1916'.

Buried at Rue du Bois Military Cemetery by Reverend F.P. Williams, 20 July 1916.

Statement, Red Cross File No 2570802, 3186 Pte H.L. MILES, 58th (patient, Wellingborough VAD Hospital, England), 18 October 1916: 'Informant states that after the 19th July 1916 at Fromelles "Bob" Smithers died of wounds and did not get back to the base, he was buried at Rifle Villa on the Fromelles front. Capt. Chaplain Williams probably read the service. The grave is marked with a cross of wood stained brown, with the name etc. on it. Smithers was in the same company D. and Platoon 15 as Informant, who has seen the grave and cross.'

Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
SourcesNAA: B2455, SMITHERS Robert Claude Neil
Red Cross file 2570802

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