SMITH, Clifford Christy
| Service Number: | 2367 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Lance Corporal |
| Last Unit: | 1st Battalion Imperial Camel Corps |
| Born: | North Adelaide, South Australia, date not yet discovered |
| Home Town: | Kensington Park, Burnside, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Bushman |
| Died: | Killed in Action, Palestine, 19 April 1917, age not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" Jerusalem Memorial, Jerusalem War Cemetery, Israel |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Jerusalem Memorial, The South Australian National War Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 10 Jun 1915: | Involvement Private, 2367, 12th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '10' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: RMS Persia embarkation_ship_number: '' public_note: '' | |
|---|---|---|
| 10 Jun 1915: | Embarked Private, 2367, 12th Infantry Battalion, RMS Persia, Melbourne | |
| 19 Apr 1917: | Involvement Lance Corporal, 2367, 1st Battalion Imperial Camel Corps, --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: 2367 awm_unit: 1 Battalion Imperial Camel Corps awm_rank: Lance Corporal awm_died_date: 1917-04-19 |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Xavier Two Wells
Clifford Chrissy Smith was born on 15 August 1899 in North Adelaide South Australia. His early life was tragic as his mother, Isabella Ellen Christie passed away just a year after his birth leaving his father Walter William Smith to raise him alone.
He grew up in Kensington Park living on Shipster Road with his father. Prior to enlistment he became a Bushman.
Clifford claimed he was 18 years when he made the life changing decision to enrol in the Australian Imperial Force. On 24 March 1915, he joined the 12th Battalion at Keswick Barracks in South Australia. He enlisted as a Private and told his address as 60 Anzac Highway, Keswick. Like many young teens of his generation, Clifford likely exaggerated his age to meet the minimum requirement for military service.
Clifford’s physical attributes were recorded on his enlistment papers as he stood 5 feet 5 inches tall, weighed 142 pounds, and had a dark skin with brown eyes and black hair.
The early stages of Clifford’s service with the 12th Battalion remain mostly unknown but he would have went under rigorous training in Egypt before going into combat. At some point during his service he was changed from private and was promoted to the 1st Australian Camel Battalion and to the rank of Lance Corporal, reflecting on his leadership skills. The 1st Camel Battalion was entirely made up of Australians and was formed in 1916 as part of the Imperial Camel Corps. Many of its men including Clifford had previously served at Gallipoli and were recovering in Egypt when they joined the unit.
Life in the Camel Battalion was not like any other experiences Clifford had known. The battalion’s primary responsibility was keeping the Western Desert safe and confronting the Senussi tribesmen, a task that demanded endurance, resilience, and skill.
Later in 1916, the battalion was sent to the Sinai Desert to engage against the Turkish Army. Clifford and his comrades rode along with the Australian Light Horse in main/key battles that included Romani, Magdhaba, and Rafa.
The battalion also participated in operations in Palestine including the Second Battle of Gaza. This battle was very intense with heavy deaths and fierce fighting. Soldiers like Clifford were exposed to constant danger, witnessing the loss of comrades while continuing to perform their duties with determination.
After serving for just over two years, Clifford Chrissy Smith was reported missing. It was confirmed that he had been killed in action 19 April 1917 at only twenty-two years old.
Clifford’s father Walter William Smith, continued to live in South Australia after his son’s death, passing away in 1931.
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