Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

BEFORE THE WAR:

Clive Glen Lyon Smith, was a natural born Australian who entered the world in September 1895. Clive lived alone (his parents were both deceased and his brother, Thomas Harold Smith) at 14 Kent Terrace, Norwood, South Australia. Like many at the time, Clive’s religion was a Methodist, a denomination of Protestant Christianity. Before the war, Clive was single with no children. Clive was a very small and light man, described as having a “poor physique”. At 22 years and 5 months, he was 5’6 (168cm) and only weighed 116 pounds (around 52.6kg).

ENLISTMENT:

Clive enlisted to join the war and assist the ANZACs on the 19th of February 1917, he was only 22 and 5 months at this time. Smith had only completed military services such as Cadets and home service, but little in fighting in any type of war before but Clive was not alone. It was quite common for this to happen. Every soldier including Clive was assigned a unit, he was part of the Third Army Brigade, 13/ 32nd Infantry Reinforcement as a Driver. Clive was assigned the service number of 39082. On the 26th of November 1917, he embarked from Melbourne on the SS Indarra, a large, overcrowded ship that usually carried more passengers than it should have.   

LIFE IN SERVICE:

On his way to training travelling on the SS Indarra, Clive became unwell and he remained in hospital in isolation for approximately three weeks from the 27th of December 1917 until the 18th of January 1918. This was due to the many infectious diseases and viruses spreading on the ship and not many medical advancements at the time. Four days later he was released from the hospital in Suez and had fully recovered.

As part of his preparation for the war, Clive attended a training camp in Alexandria, Egypt. He became ill in Suez for around 3-4 months. Lots of Australian soldiers trained for the war in places like Egypt because they believed that the place where the soldiers would fight would be in similar conditions. At that time, soldiers like Clive were taught how to use guns such as the rifle, .303 Lee Enfield. They learned how to dig and construct trenches as well as getting used to a very different lifestyle and discipline in preparation for the war.

Smith then embarked from Alexandria on the 4th of February 1918 for a ‘Rest Camp’ for three days. Rest camps were a place where the troops could relax and take their minds off the horrors of war. There were musicians, choirs, comedy shows and sketches as well as church services for the soldiers to attend to cope with their fears and mourn the lives of their friends who may have been severely injured or died in battle.

After the Rest Camp, Smith then travelled to Cherbourg France, which took him another week. After arriving in Cherbourg, Smith was detained (held back) for an unknown reason.

Finally, on the 14th of February 1918, Clive fought for Australia in Cherbourg, France for over 10 long months until the end of the war. As a Gunner/Driver, Clive’s service may have involved work with the Royal Artillery by driving a team of horses to pull the guns. (transportation of guns) However, for his own safety, Clive would have carried a .303 Lee Enfield rifle on his back in case an enemy tried to attack him. Later on the 2nd of September 1918, Clive was ‘Taken on Strength,’ meaning he was assigned to the 3rd Army Brigade of Field Artillery in France.

Shortly after, just over a full year and a month, Clive was discharged from active service on the 24th of December 1919, alive and healthy.

AFTER THE WAR:

After surviving the war, Clive returned to his home, in time to see his brother for Christmas of 1919. He later was married to Honorah (known as ‘Nora’) Elizabeth Nelson in 1926. They later had a daughter named Claire. Sadly, on the 3rd of April 1965, Clive Glen Lyon Smith passed away at the age of 70.

Smith was awarded three medals for his service in the war, ’ the ‘British War Medal’ and the ‘Victory Medal.’ Being awarded these medals displays great ANZAC spirit like bravery and courage for fighting for our country.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

-        Australian War Memorial 2018, accessed 9 March 2018, <https://www.awm.gov.au/advanced-search?query=clive+glen+lyon+smith&people=true>.

-       The AIF project, 2016, accessed 1 March 2018, <https://www.aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=278617>.

-       SS Indara n.d., Photograph, accessed 1 March 2018, <https://www.google.com.au/search?q=ss+indarra&safe=strict&rlz=1C5CHFA_enAU720AU720&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwitgqqa2O3ZAhVHl5QKHWVFB7wQ_AUICigB&biw=1440&bih=726#imgrc=GOtjJd1acL_XKM:>.

-        Medals Clive Glen Lyon Smith was awarded n.d., Photograph, accessed 1 March 2018, <https://www.google.com.au/search?safe=strict&rlz=1C5CHFA_enAU720AU720&biw=1440&bih=803&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=SRWpWsmCJ4S18QWLv4zYCg&q=medal+ww1&oq=medal+ww1&gs_l=psy-ab.3.0j0i7i30k1l9.9917.9917.0.11397.1.1.0.0.0.0.243.243.2-1.1.0....0...1c.1.64.psy-ab.0.1.242....0.sOreYd6SA88#imgrc=6ylN6jB5pmcx3M:>.

-       Unit Diary n.d.,accessed 1 March 2018, <https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1343138?image=3>.

-       Smith Clive Glen Lyon: Service Record 2018, accessed 28 February 2018, <https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=1769081>.

-       n.d., RSL Virtual War Memorial, accessed 4 March 2018, <https://rslvirtualwarmemorial.org.au/explore/people/137421>.

-       Van Tol, D 2016, Pearson History 9, Rachel Ford, Melbourne.

-        Lee Enfield n.d., Photograph, accessed 1 March 2018, <http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/world-war-one/the-western-front-in-world-war-one/lee-enfield-rifle/>.