SMITH, Arthur Johnson
| Service Number: | 3978 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 14 August 1915, Holsworthy, New South Wales |
| Last Rank: | Corporal |
| Last Unit: | 3rd Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, November 1893 |
| Home Town: | Lidcombe, Auburn, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Auburn Boys Public School, New South Wales, Australia |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Died: | Killed in Action, France, 24 June 1918 |
| Cemetery: |
La Kreule Military Cemetery, Hazebrouck Plot I, Row F, Grave No. 10. |
| Memorials: | Auburn Boys Public School Pictorial Honour Roll, Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour |
World War 1 Service
| 14 Aug 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 3978, Holsworthy, New South Wales | |
|---|---|---|
| 30 Dec 1915: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 3978, 3rd Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '7' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Medic embarkation_ship_number: A7 public_note: '' | |
| 30 Dec 1915: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 3978, 3rd Infantry Battalion, HMAT Medic, Sydney | |
| 24 Jun 1918: | Involvement AIF WW1, Corporal, 3978, 3rd Infantry Battalion, Merris (France), --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: 3978 awm_unit: 3 Battalion awm_rank: Corporal awm_died_date: 1918-06-24 |
Help us honour Arthur Johnson Smith's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by John Edwards
"3978 Private (later Corporal) Arthur Johnson Smith 3rd Battalion of Lidcombe, NSW. A labourer prior to enlisting, he embarked from Sydney aboard HMAT Medic (A7) on 30 December 1915. He was wounded in action on 24 June 1918, during a raid at Strazeele, France and died soon after en route to the dressing station, aged 24. He is buried in La Kreule Military Cemetery, Hazebrouck, France" - SOURCE (www.awm.gov.au)
Biography contributed by Stephen Brooks
Arthur Johnson Smith came from a large family of children which included seven sons. He married at 19 years of age to Eileen Mary, during 1912. At the time of his death, he left two little children, aged six years and four years respectively. He was born and raised in Lidcombe and he and his wife resided in Vaughan Street. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Smith, lived in Oxford Street. As a boy he attended the Auburn Superior Public School, and his name appears on the school's honor roll.
He enlisted the same day as his brother Ross, and both left Australia with the 3rd Battalion during December 1915. His brother, 3910 Lce. Cpl. Ross Smith 3rd Battalion was killed in action in Belgium on 4 October 1917, aged 35, and has no known grave.
Both soldiers, prior to enlisting were employed on the outdoor staff of the Lidcombe Council, and were noted for their good service. They were given a hearty send-off by their work mates and overseer, with the mayor present, and were presented with gifts of friendship and esteem.
Arthur served through 1916 with C Company of the 3rd Battalion and was slightly wounded at Second Bullecourt in May 1917. It was reported in the local papers that he was buried three times by bursting shells. On each occasion, however, he escaped with only a few bruises.
He served right through 1917, apart from two weeks leave to the UK. He was promoted to full Corporal a week before his death on 24 June 1918.
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