The AIF Project

James Norman SMYTH

Regimental number902
Place of birthHamilton, Victoria
ReligionPresbyterian
OccupationLabourer
AddressHamilton, Victoria
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation18
Next of kinB J Smyth, Brown Street, Hamilton, Victoria
Enlistment date30 November 1914
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name9th Light Horse Regiment, 5th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number10/14/2
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A58 Kabinga on 8 May 1915
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll9th Light Horse Regiment
FateDied of disease 25 October 1918
Age at death from cemetery records23
Place of burialDamascus British War Cemetery (Row D, Grave No. 14), Syria
Panel number, Roll of Honour,
  Australian War Memorial
7
Miscellaneous information from
  cemetery records
Parents: B. and Louisa SMYTH
Medals

Distinguished Conduct Medal

'For conspicuous gallantry, initiative, and devotion to duty at Khan Ayash, on 2 October, 1918. Whilst proceeding to mount a relay signal station, he, with Trooper Halliday, discovered one enemy officer and eighty seven enemy hidden in a wadi. The officer was preparing to mount an automatic rifle when these two men, in the face of bomb fire, rushed him, took his pistol, fired into the enemy, and seized the automatic rifle. The enemy were so surprised that they surrendered in a body.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 42
Date: 20 May 1920

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