SMITH, Victor Ernest
| Service Number: | 2444 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 5 May 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | 3rd Infantry Brigade Headquarters |
| Born: | Geraldton. Western Australia, 3 December 1889 |
| Home Town: | Rottnest, Western Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Died: | Katanning.. Western Australia , 18 November 1951, aged 61 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Karrakatta Cemetery & Crematorium, Western Australia |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 5 May 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2444, 11th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 25 Jun 1915: | Involvement Private, 2444, 11th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '10' embarkation_place: Fremantle embarkation_ship: HMAT Karoola embarkation_ship_number: A63 public_note: '' | |
| 25 Jun 1915: | Embarked Private, 2444, 11th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Karoola, Fremantle | |
| 31 Oct 1917: | Honoured Military Medal | |
| 26 May 1919: | Promoted AIF WW1, Sergeant, 3rd Infantry Brigade Headquarters |
Help us honour Victor Ernest Smith's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Stephen Brooks
Victor Ernest Smith enlisted with his younger brother Charles Lewis Smith early in 1915. They were the sons of Herbert and Mary Ann Smith of Rottnest Island, Western Australia. Their dad was the lighthouse keeper on the island.
They both served at Gallipoli from September 1915. Victor’s brother Charles was killed in action at Mouquet Farm on 3 September 1915.
Victor was mentioned in despatches for his work as a Corporal with the Brigade bombers during February 1917.
He was then awarded a Military Medal, the recommendation states, “During operations east of Ypres, 20/22nd September, 1917, L/Cpl Smith as Brigade Bomber rendered most valuable assistance and showed great gallantry and devotion to duty. His work entailed the distribution at the forward Brigade Main Dump and his coolness under very heavy artillery fire was at all times of a most exemplary nature. He was sent forward six days prior to the operations to prepare the dumps and the manner in which he carried out his duties is most praiseworthy. He frequently acted as guide to carrying parties, which necessitated passing through very heavy enemy barrages, and by his cool initiative and utter disregard for danger he successfully conducted them to their destination.”
Victor was returned to Australia in early 1919.
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