WIEN-SMITH, Geoffrey
| Service Number: | Officer |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 8 October 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Captain |
| Last Unit: | 11th Field Ambulance |
| Born: | Clare South Australia, 19 April 1892 |
| Home Town: | Clare, Clare and Gilbert Valleys, South Australia |
| Schooling: | St Peter's College and University of Adelaide, South Australia |
| Occupation: | Medical Practitioner |
| Died: | Illness, Clare South Australia, 24 December 1973, aged 81 years |
| Cemetery: |
Clare General Cemetery, South Australia |
| Memorials: | Adelaide University of Adelaide WW1 Honour Roll, Clare St Barnabas Anglican Church WW1 Honour Board, Hackney St Peter's College Honour Board |
World War 1 Service
| 8 Oct 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Officer, 11th Field Ambulance | |
|---|---|---|
| 12 May 1916: | Involvement AIF WW1, Captain, 11th Field Ambulance, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '23' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Beltana embarkation_ship_number: A72 public_note: '' | |
| 12 May 1916: | Embarked AIF WW1, Captain, 11th Field Ambulance, HMAT Beltana, Sydney |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Annette Summers
WIEN-SMITH Geoffrey MB BS
1892 - 1973
Geoffrey Wien-Smith and his twin sister, Clair Winifred, were born on 19th April 1892 in Clare, South Australia. They were the children of Otto Wien-Smith, a medical practitioner, and his wife Blanche Isabel, nee Richardson. Otto travelled to Australia as a ship's doctor arriving in 1878; he and his wife had four other children all born in Australia. Wien-Smith was educated at St Peter’s College and the University of Adelaide, graduating MB BS in 1915.
Wien-Smith had served one year in the Cadets in 1908 and enlisted in the AIF on 8th October 1915 in Adelaide and was posted into the 11 FdAmb. He was described as 5ft 8ins tall, weighed 146lbs, of dark complexion, with black hair and blue eyes. It was also noted that he had 4 lozenge shaped vaccination marks on his left arm. After early training at Mitcham camp he embarked on Beltana in Sydney on 15th May1916, disembarking in Devonport on 10th July1916. He went to France to join 11 FdAmb on 24th November 1916. He was admitted to hospital with “debility” and “trench fever” in July 1917 and returned to duty on 28th July 1917. Wien-Smith was again hospitalised on 29th December 1917 and eventually transferred to hospital in England in March 1918. There appeared to be considerable concern for his health expressed by two hand written comments; one by Charlton Yeatman and the other by Otto's brother Russell, the latter writing from Australia dated 27th December 1917. He was eventually admitted to Queen’s Hospital, Sidcup, England on 3rd July 1918 with influenza and cystitis and when recovered he was posted as a medical officer to that hospital. He embarked on the Nevasa for return to Australia on 5th March 1919 disembarking to the 4 MD on 25th April 1919. His illness was deemed to be caused by his military service which would enable him to claim a pension. His appointment was terminated on 3rd August 1919. He was issued with the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
After the war Wien-Smith continued a medical practice in Clare. He married thirty year old Roma Elsa Wadey, the daughter of Alfred Ernest Wadey and Elsa Hansie, nee Mueller, on 29th July 1936 in St the Peter’s College Chapel. He and his wife became well known identities in the Clare and Burra area of South Australia. They had one daughter Susan. Roma Wien-Smith died in 1950 and Geoffrey Wien-Smith died on 24th December 1973. He is buried in Clare with his parents and wife.
Source
Blood, Sweat and Fears: Medical Practitioners and Medical Students of South Australia, who Served in World War 1.
Verco, Summers, Swain, Jelly. Open Books Howden, Adelaide 2014.
Uploaded by Annette Summers AO RFD
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