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Douglas Roy Smith was born on 9 October 1880 and registered in the district of Fingal in Tasmania.
Douglas was the middle of five boys born to mother Clare Maria Moore and father
George Campbell Smith.

Clare Maria Moore married George Campell Smith on 29 May 1876 in New
Norfolk in the south of the state. George was 40 years old and Clare just 21 years old at the time of their marriage. George was a surveyor and Clare was described as a “Lady” and was the daughter of a surgeon, consequently both of Douglas’ parents would have been well educated for the time.

Fingal is a tiny rural hamlet in the north - eastern midlands of the state. At present it has a population of 430 people but saw its fortunes improve in the 1850’s when the first payable gold in Tasmania was found at nearby Mangana.Unfortunately, Douglas’ older brother and second born son Julian passed away at an early age on 17 May 1895 from what was termed anaemic haemorrhages. He was just 16 years old, and it appears from newspaper article that he had been unwell for some time possibly from a type of blood cancer.A little over a year from when he lost his brother Julian, Douglas lost his father, George Campbell Smith, who passed away in August 1896, aged 61, from what appears to be bowel cancer . Douglas was just 16 years old at the time and his youngest brother Ivan was just 8 years old.

A few months later it appears that Douglas started in what would become a lifetime career working in the banking sector. He started as a young bank clerk in 1897 when he replaced the clerk who was moving on from the local branch of the Bank of Australasia at Fingal. He would have been 17 years old at the time.

At the beginning of January 1900 when Douglas was just 20, he was transferred from the Fingal branch to the Launceston Branch of the Bank of Australasia. His younger brother Adrian who would have been 17 at the time took Douglas’ place at Fingal.
As a young man of 20 years of age, Douglas was obviously well respected and admired in his local community as can be seen from newspaper articles at the time.

Three months later, Douglas’ older brother, George Campbell Smith is reported as doing well in his surveyor’s exams and Douglas is mentioned as “making satisfactory progress with his duties in Launceston” and is continuing to impress with his cricketing skills. Douglas was playing for the Cornwall Cricket Club in the Launceston district.


Douglas was a talented sportsman from when he was a young boy and no doubt his physical attributes contributed to his athleticism. From his WW1 attestation papers he was a tall man standing nearly 6 foot tall at 5 foot 11 ¾ inches.
He was playing Australian Rules football as well as cricket whilst he was still at school.

At the end of December in 1901 Douglas Smith was a member of the Northern Cricket Team which played against the Southern Cricket Team at the Northern
Cricket Association Gound in Launceston.
Douglas was also member of the Tasmanian Cricket Team which played the English Cricket Team at Hobart on 25-26 January 1904.Douglas’ local cricket team was the Tamar Cricket Club which was established in 1901 and won the Northern Tasmanian Cricket Assoc Pennant in 1903-1904.

It appears that the Tamar Cricket Club’s failure to once again win the pennant in 1905 was partly attributed to Douglas not being available to play for a large part of the season. This would have been due to his work commitments away from Launceston. Douglas was made Vice-Captain for the team.


In 1905 Douglas made a return to the bank at Fingal for a short period of time as acting manager. His acting manager stints would appear to have been detrimental to his sporting clubs as travel from Fingal to Launceston to play weekend sport would not have been easy to do.

He was once again back in Fingal acting as branch manager in 1907 and 1910

Douglas transferred to Victoria and became the bank manager at the Fish creek branch of the Bank of Australia in early 1913 and it is from there that he enlisted in February 1915. He remained on the electoral roll of Fish Creek until 1919 when he returned home from the war. Once again, he is remembered fondly by the community as being a man who is much respected and held in very high esteem. He immersed himself in the activities of the local community playing tennis where he was said to be their “top notch player” and also excellent rifle marksman.

He was also a member of the school committee, treasurer of the Fish Creek Sports association and member of the Progress Association to name just a few of his community involvements.

Douglas enlisted on 25 February 1915 at Foster in Victoria. He was 34 years old at the time and he stated on his attestation papers that he had been an army volunteer in Tasmania for 3 years. He had a dark complexion with brown eyes and with his towering height would have been an imposing man.

The farewell he received from the Fish Creek community was a testament to his character and standing in the community. There is no doubt Douglas was a man who was held in very high regard both professionally and for his voluntary positions in the community. To be given the gift of a purse of sovereigns was indeed a high honor and a very generous gift for the time.

“The fight-for flag and freedom.
EARLY DEPARTURE of Mr. D. R. SMITH
"The friends thou hast, and their adoption tried, Grapple to thy soul with hoops of steel." Shakespeare.
Again, this week—as in the previous one— a large, enthusiastic-gathering assembled to farewell a friend leaving Fish Creek for the front, (via Broadmeadows) to fight,
for his country's flag and freedom against the fierce, formidable Teuton foe. The entertainment took, place in the Fish Creek Mechanics' Institute on Friday evening last. The gentleman in whose honor the social and dance were held, is Mr. D. R. Smith, the courteous and exceedingly popular manager of the local branch of the Bank of Australasia. The early hours of the evening were devoted to vocal and elocutionary items interspersed with dancing. The majority of the younger; people present were ardent disciples of Terpsichore.
chore, and tipped it on the light fantastic toe with vim and vigor.
Songs were rendered by Miss D. Bath (Angus McDonald).; Miss Mullins, "Believe me all those endearing young charms," "Tosti's Goodbye”; Mr. .0. H. Hoiyoak,"A message from
Home," "Four Jolly Smiths"; Mr. P. Buckley, "Three United Nations”; Mr. G. Ellerman (Hunting the. Kangaroos), Recitations given by Mr. G. R. Duncan were, "Snorkins," "Murphy shall not sing tonight,” and "The charge of the Light Brigade." The accompanists were Mesdames C. W. Colwell and J. Larkins, Misses Mullins and G. Nicols. About half past eleven o'clock, the chairman (Cr. P. J. Keane) announced the object of their meeting that evening. He declared it was the first time in his long life resident in Fish Creek that he had been entrusted with such an unpleasant duty to perform. Why? Because they, were losing one of the best and -most popular fellows it had been their good fortune to have stationed at Fish Creek. During two years amongst them, Mr. Smith had proved a thorough good fellow in every respect. As a citizen and as a bank manager he was an ideal man, both with regard to himself personally, and the institution he represented. They had found him a thorough gentleman. Mr. Smith was one of those men they did not meet every day. And he had crowned his good qualities in his (the speaker's) opinion by volunteering to go
to the front to fight the foe. (Cheers) He had decided to enlist; it might be it was not imperatively necessary he should do so. Nevertheless, Mr Smith decided of his own free will that it was his duty. He would go to fight for his country; he would be fighting for each and. every one of them—-the people of Fish Creek—as well. (Applause).
They knew full well their Empire was engaged in fighting a foe that was very strong. About that fact there could be no doubt. He was proud to be present at the little,
informal send-off that evening. He would wish Mr. Smith a safe and happy passage and a speedy return to Fish Creek. (Loud applause). Mr. E. Clark said he appreciated Mr. Smith's Stirling qualities. • (Hear hear). As secretary of the local rifle club he (Mr. Clark) could speak with some degree of authority regarding the excellent marksmanship of Mr. Smith on the range. Mr. Reynolds remarked that their friend.
Mr. Smith, had volunteered to serve his King and country. He (the speaker) could not agree with any expressed sentiment that there was no need- for every efficient man to rally to the colors. (Applause).”

It behoved every citizen to do what he could in the defence of the Empire. (Cheers). As citizens of the freest, most enlightened Empire the world had ever known it remained undoubtedly their privilege to fight for their native land when, called
upon. (Renewed cheers). By volunteering, Australians would not only be fighting for the Empire, but also for the very liberty which they enjoyed to-day.
"Mr. G. H. Holyoak, on behalf of the local State school committee, ex-'
pressed the deep regret of the board at the departure of Mr. Smith.' That gentleman had been a valued committeeman. Mr. Smith was going away to far countries to do for them there what he could not do for them here. (Cheers). They appreciated
the number of young local men that had gone forth on a similar mission.
They hoped to-see all those gallant lads return to Fish Creek when peace was declared, and they hoped to welcome them back in the same health and strength with which they departed. (Applause). Mr. M. B. Buckley, representative'
of the tennis club, said their guest was a top-notcher in their team, and in every other team they had played him. If he came up to the same, splendid standard of efficiency on the field of battle and elsewhere (regarding which the speaker entertained no doubt whatever) as he had attained to in the field of sport, well then, their friend would most certainly prove all right in every sense of the word. (Applause).
Mr. H. V. Dillon, of Foster, thought it was a very fair testimony to the excellent qualities of Mr. Smith that he (the speaker) was there that night, as it had been most inexpedient for him (Mr. Dillon) to attend. Their friend was throwing up a good position' to fight for them all. Little now remained for them but to wish him God speed. He had been associated with Mr. Smith in a sporting sense and had found him a "sport." When' they said "sport" they ascribed to him every manly quality a man possessed. '(Applause.)
Mr. E. H. Handley hoped the parting guest would return unharmed and unscratched, his jacket covered with honor, but the same old Douglas Roy Smith, who had left them. (Laughter and applause).
Mr. A. W. J. McPherson, of Poster, in a speech commendably brief, wished Mr. Smith a speedy return and every success.
Mr. G. Elierman, of Foster, was favourably impressed villi Mr. Smith on first
acquaintance. He admired every man who had the courage to take up the burden of Empire. He had heard it said that men enlisted because they thought they would have a good time. He honestly believed every young lad in Australia who volunteered did so because he considered it his duty.
In his opinion the Boer War of 15 years ago was a most fortunate thing, for it gave Australians an incentive to fight for the mother country. To the present call they had nobly responded. It was a distinct loss to the bank to lose an officer like Mr.
Smith; but the bank authorities treated their officers most liberally in that respect; the salaries of volunteering officers accumulated, and their positions were kept open for them. They hoped Mr. Smith would be amongst those who, in the future, might make a triumphal entry into Berlin. And when he returned, (they further hoped that it would be as D. R. Smith, V.C. (Loud applause). Mr Ellerman – confessed to having visited Doughboy Island the other day. He considered it would be a fine place to confine the Kaiser. (Laughter).Mr. L. C. O'Kelly said he was very pleased to join in the chorus of appreciation.
Mr. Smith in volunteering for active service asserted his belief .in - a principle which, most likely, would prove the salvation of their one and indivisible Empire.
(Applause). It was the duty of the remotest parts of "the Umpire to assist Great Britain now—Great Britain, who was in the throes of the greatest crisis she had ever been in.
He was not surprised to hear that. Smith had volunteered. He considered that gentleman would make an ideal soldier. Mr. Smith had a fine, athletic history; he had figured in football matches, cricket matches, and tennis matches. • As In previous speaker had remarked perhaps it was not too much to hope, that when their friend did return, he would bear upon his breast the greatest; the most appreciated badge for bravery that Britain bestowed, namely, the small bronze medal known world-wide as the Victoria Cross.
(Applause).
Mr. M. Lehan (from Foster) and Messrs E. Stanfield, W. Falls, and J. Drew also spoke briefly. Cr. Keane. then observed that he had a little duty to perform. The all knew Mr. Smith had done all a man could do to forward the interests of their little "township. (Applause). To show they appreciated that fact, he had on "behalf of' those present and others unavoidably absent, to ask Mr. Smith to accept a purse of sovereigns. Their guest he was certain, would value the present not for "its intrinsic worth, but as a memento from his Fish Creek friends. (Applause)
"Mr. Smith, who was manifestly moved by the expressions of esteem amid good-will towards him voiced during the course of the evening, replied with much appropriateness.
He said it was just two years ago that, very day since he had first arrived among them—two of the happiest years, he could truthfully add, of his life. (Applause) For when he came they had at once made him feel perfectly at home; they. Had made him feel no lost soul, no stranger-in a strange land. (Cheers)Everywhere in- South Gippsland it had been his good fortune to meet with a most kindly reception. He greatly appreciated the attendance of his friends there that evening, many of whom had come in from outlying parts. In concluding, Mr. Smith hoped for one thing; that when the test came, he would be able to- meet it. (Loud and continued applause, during which a voice interjected "You'll bog in alright.")
The spirited rendering of "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow" brought this phase of the evening's - enjoyment to a close. But dancing was kept up to an early hour.
Mr. Smith will, in all probability, be departing by the Thursday morning train: Mr. H. J.
V. Foote. Of the Bank of Australasia, Leongatha, has been appointed manager of the Fish Creek branch"

Toora and Welshpool Ensign and Soth Gippsland Observer Fri Mar 1915 p3

After his initial training at Broadmeadows near Melbourne Douglas embarked for overseas on 8 May 1915 on board the Euripedes and arrived in Alexandria on 10 June 1915.

He joined the 24th battalion which was formed in May 1915 at Broadmeadows Camp in Victoria, as a unit of the all-volunteer Australian Imperial Force (AIF). Along with the 21st, 22nd and 23rd Battalion, the 24th formed part of the 6th Brigade, which was assigned to the 2nd Division.
After disembarking in Egypt, Douglas undertook more training before proceeding to Heliopolis and Alexandria where he joined the transport ship “Nile” on 30 August 1915. After initially landing at Mudros, Douglas battalion landed at the Gallipoli peninsula before moving to the Lone Pine sector on 12 September 1915.
Douglas was promoted to Lance Corporal on 6 November 1915 and Corporal on 2 December 1915.

- December 1915 the 24th Battalion were evacuated from Lone Pine left Gallipoli and moved to Mudros where they rested until the 8 January 1916 before arriving in Alexandia on 10 January and immediately moving to Tel-El-Kebir.

- 20 March 1916 the 24th Battalion embarked from Alexandria on board the HMT Michigan, HMT Magdalena and HMT City of Edinburgh. They disembarked at Marseille on 26 March 1916.
- April 1916 (Belgium) – billeted at Rebecq- Thienes- Tannay- Haverskerque -
Merville-La Gorgue- billets at Sailly -Fleurbaix- LHollobau
- May 1-28, 1916 -LHollobeau then on to Armentieres
- Douglas was admitted to the hospital sick on 12 May 1916 with corns on his
feet where he stayed until 14 May 1916 before rejoining his unit.
- June 1916- Rue Marle in the SW of Armentieres
- July 1916- moved from Rue Marle through La Creche-Strazeele- Pradelle-
Amiens - St Sauvaut- Rainville- Toutencourt- Varennes- Pozieres
- August 1916- Moquet Farm - Albert - Worloy- Herissart -Bonneville. (This is
close to Naours so it is a strong possibility that Douglas visited during this
time.
- 17 September 1916 Douglas was transferred to the 24th Battalion to 1st
Anzac Corp Headquarters “in the field”
- 23 July 1917- Taken on strength from 24th Battalion to be borne
supernumerary to establishment of 1st Anzac Headquarters
- 1 September 1917- promoted to sergeant under the provisions of AIF. Order
213 to complete establishment.
- 24 November 1917- 14 days leave to England.
- 8 December 1917- rejoined from leave.
- 1 January 1918- awarded Meritorious Service Medal

Whilst Douglas was on the battlefields of France, he visited the underground tunnels of Naours. Unlike other soldiers who wrote their names in pencil, Douglas scratched his name into the limestone.

- 8 July 1918- doing duty at Headquarters.
- 21 September 1918- promoted to ER/Staff Sergeant
- 2 November 1918- leave to England.
- 16 November 1918 – rejoined from leave.
- 31 March 1919- embarked for home onboard the Khyber.

Douglas had his Meritorious Service Medal sent home in February 1919 to his mother in Fingal for safe keeping.
Douglas disembarked in Melbourne from the Khyber on 12 May 1919 one week and four years from when he first embarked for the Middle East in 1915 and was discharged in Tasmania in July 1917.
Douglas was again living and working in Melbourne in 1921 and 1922 where his address was listed at the Inspector’s Office at the Bank of Australasia in Collins St Melbourne.

However, it appears from his letters requesting medals that Douglas was also working at the Bank of Australasia in Charlton in mid-1921 but kept his permanent address as the Bank in Melbourne. Charlton is a small town in north central Victoria, midway between Melbourne and Mildura.

During 1924 he moved to Port Fairy where he became the Branch Manager and lived on the bank premises.

Once again Douglas immersed himself in the activities of the town he was residing in, playing tennis, lawn bowls and was also the treasurer of the Returned Services League to name a few.

Tragically, on Sunday 26th February 1933, Douglas, after eating a hearty evening meal with some friends, something he usually did, returned home and took his own life by using the gas stove in the kitchen of his living quarters at the bank. Douglas was so well thought and held in high esteem that his death was reported in most newspapers across the southern states of Australia.

Douglas was laid to rest back in Tasmania at St Helens on the East Coast of Tasmania where his brother Adrian was working in the bank at the time. He left an estate of 2942 pounds to his brothers George and Adrian. This was a significant amount of money in 1933. In today’s terms it would conservatively be $400 000.