Phillip James (Jim) SMITH DSO

SMITH, Phillip James

Service Number: 903
Enlisted: Not yet discovered
Last Rank: Second Lieutenant
Last Unit: 4th Infantry Battalion
Born: Porepunkah, Victoria, Australia, 1897
Home Town: Brighton, Bayside, Victoria
Schooling: Not yet discovered
Occupation: Black Smith
Died: Brighton, Victoria, 2 July 1921, cause of death not yet discovered
Cemetery: Bright Cemetery
SMITH, PHILLIP JAMES, P J Lieutenant Australian Infantry, A.I.F. 01/07/1921 Unknown Meth. 1. A.14.5. Phillip In loving memory of our dearly loved son and brother Lieut. Phillip James Smith D.S.O. who died July 1st 1921 aged 24 years. Lieutenant P.J. Smith D.S.O. 3rd Battalion, 1st July 1921. A true loving son and faithful friend, his life's work nobly done.
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World War 1 Service

10 May 1915: Embarked Private, 903, 23rd Infantry Battalion, HMAT Euripides, Melbourne
10 May 1915: Involvement Private, 903, 23rd Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '14' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Euripides embarkation_ship_number: A14 public_note: ''
19 Jan 1916: Promoted AIF WW1, Corporal, 4th Infantry Battalion, 18/1/16 to be Corporal
20 Apr 1916: Promoted AIF WW1, Lance Sergeant, 4th Infantry Battalion, APPOINTED LANCE SERGEANT
20 Apr 1916: Promoted AIF WW1, Lance Sergeant, 4th Infantry Battalion, to be Lance Sergeant
16 Aug 1916: Wounded AIF WW1, 903, 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (3RAR), wounded 16 August 1916. ARM AND LEG. Transferred to Norfolk War Hospital. Discharged 19/10/1916 Thigh and Shoulder. Wounded in action FRANCE GSW arm
17 Jul 1917: Transferred AIF WW1, Lance Sergeant, 4th Infantry Battalion, 29/7/1916 Admitted to 1st Can Gen Hospital. 28/02/1916 placed on Supernumerary list of N.C.O.'S owing to absence from unit for 3 months. Admitted to hospital for Tonsillitis. 31/07/1917 rejoined Bn from wounded
17 Oct 1917: Transferred AIF WW1, Lance Sergeant, 4th Infantry Battalion, 16/07/1917 pres o/seas to France Rejoined Btn from wounded ex France 19/07/1918 Admitted hos sick
16 Sep 1918: Honoured Companion of the Distinguished Service Order, Fromelles (Fleurbaix), 16/09/1918 awarded D.S.O.
1 Oct 1918: Promoted AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, 4th Infantry Battalion, 13/07/1918 evacuated sick placed on reg sec list. Prom to 2nd Lieut

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Biography contributed by Val Sparnaay

Fate Returned to Australia 8 April 1919

Medals

Distinguished Service Order

 

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. This officer was in charge of a party for mopping up, after the capture of a village, and had to swim two creeks to reach his objective, coming under direct fire of an enemy strong post. Without a moment's hesitation, he rushed it, capturing one officer and eleven men. He then rescued one of his men who was lying wounded under fire in the street, then, closing his party round another strong post, he shot one man, and overpowered an officer, with his fists, the rest surrendering. Though greatly exhausted, he concluded by dashing across 70 yards of open ground by himself and capturing a party of nine of the enemy.'

Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 15

Date: 4 February 1919

2 July  1921

Found Shot in Brighton.

With a service revolver lying at its side, the body of Lieutenant Phillip James Smith, D.S.O., was found in Hampton street, Brighton, late on Friday night. Lieutenant Smith was shot through the head. He was 24 years of age, and lived in Wilson street, Brighton, his parents being residents of Wangaratta. After distinguishing himself in France, Lieutenant Smith returned to Australia suffering from the effects of wounds in the head. When the body was found a new motor-cycle, which deceased had been testing with a view to purchase, was standing by the side of the road

 

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