SMITH, James
| Service Number: | 3213 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 17 August 1916 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 51st Infantry Battalion (WW1) |
| Born: | Bailieston, Victoria, Australia, 1893 |
| Home Town: | Wyalkatchem, Wyalkatchem, Western Australia |
| Schooling: | Bailieston State School, Victoria, Australia |
| Occupation: | Farmer |
| Died: | Killed in action, Belgium, 14 October 1917 |
| Cemetery: |
Aeroplane Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium Plot III, Row A, Grave No. 35. THE PATH OF DUTY WAS THE WAY TO GLORY |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Kings Park Western Australia State War Memorial, Wyalkatchem War Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 17 Aug 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 3213, 51st Infantry Battalion (WW1) | |
|---|---|---|
| 23 Dec 1916: | Involvement Private, 3213, 51st Infantry Battalion (WW1), Third Ypres, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '19' embarkation_place: Fremantle embarkation_ship: HMAT Berrima embarkation_ship_number: A35 public_note: '' | |
| 23 Dec 1916: | Embarked Private, 3213, 51st Infantry Battalion (WW1), HMAT Berrima, Fremantle |
Help us honour James Smith's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Stephen Brooks
James was the son of William and Jessie Smith, of Wirrate, Victoria. He was born at Bailieston, Victoria in 1893. His parents and family were living at Wyalkatchem, Western Australia when he enlisted in the 51st Battalion the same day as his brother, William.
His brother, 3207 Lance Corporal William Oliver Smith was killed in action at Villiers Bretonneux on 24 April 1918.
Another brother, 1906 Private Peter Oliver Smith 44th Battalion AIF, returned to Australia in 1919.
James joined the 51st Battalion at the front on 7 July 1917. James was seen to be killed by a shell on 14 October 1917. He was said to have been buried where he fell. His remains were found in 1919 and reinterred in the Aeroplane Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium.
His dad wrote to Base Records in 1922 from Wirrate, Nagambie, seeking the scrolls and plaques for his two sons lost in the war.
Click images to start slideshow.