SMITH, Hedley
| Service Number: | 1649 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 4 January 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 12th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Richmond, Tasmania, Australia, 25 April 1895 |
| Home Town: | Richmond (T), Clarence, Tasmania |
| Schooling: | Richmond State School, Tasmania, Australia |
| Occupation: | Farm labourer |
| Died: | Killed in action, Belgium, 14 March 1918, aged 22 years |
| Cemetery: |
Spoilbank Cemetery, Zillebeke, Belgium Plot II, Row E, Grave No. 6. |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Richmond War Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 4 Jan 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 1649, 12th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 19 Feb 1915: | Involvement Private, 1649, 12th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '10' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Runic embarkation_ship_number: A54 public_note: '' | |
| 19 Feb 1915: | Embarked Private, 1649, 12th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Runic, Melbourne |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Stephen Brooks
Hedley was one of the four sons of Samuel and Bridget Smith of Richmond, Tasmania who enlisted in the AIF during WW1. His brother Eric was killed in 1917, and Percy and Hedley were both killed during March 1918. The surviving brother, Albert, was sent home to Australia in 1918 when it was realised by the authorities that all of his brothers had died.
Hedley was the first of his brothers to enlist and fought on Gallipoli with the 12th Battalion until he was evacuated sick in August 1915. He fought on the Western Front for almost 2 years before he was killed during a German raid on the 12th Battalion position which cost the lives of four men from the unit.
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