Edward Vivian SMYTHE MC + Bar

Edward Vivian SMYTHE MC + Bar Update Details

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SMYTHE, Edward Vivian

Service Numbers:	Officer, N60011
Enlisted:	24 September 1915
Last Rank:	Major
Last Unit:	22 Garrison Battalion (VIC NSW)
Born:	Footscray, Vic., 13 May 1891
Home Town:	Bonnie Doon, Mansfield, Victoria
Schooling:	Public School
Occupation:	Telephone Mechanic
Died:	1968, cause of death not yet discovered, place of death not yet discovered
Cemetery:	Not yet discovered
Memorials:

World War 1 Service

24 Sep 1915:	Enlisted AIF WW1, Major, Officer, 24th Infantry Battalion
2 Nov 1915:	Involvement 17th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '12' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Euripides embarkation_ship_number: A14 public_note: ''
2 Nov 1915:	Embarked 17th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Euripides, Sydney

World War 2 Service

7 Oct 1939:	Enlisted Major, N60011, 22 Garrison Battalion (VIC NSW)
7 Oct 1939:	Enlisted Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Major, N60011

Help us honour Edward Vivian Smythe's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.

Biography contributed by Faithe Jones

Viv served for 4 years in the Volunteer Services - 1st A1 Reg. and 17th Inf. Reg. before the outbreak of W.W. 1. He enlisted in the services on 11 May 1915 and after completion of Officer Training, he embarked for the Middle East on 2 November 1915. Like Bert and Vern, he was transported on the "Euripides" and arrived in Suez on 29 November 1915, serving in Egypt in the 17th Btn. He was later 'taken on strength' in the 24th Btn. (June 1916), serving in France and Belgium. Shortly before the war ended he was sent to England. Viv received a Military Cross at Warlencourt, a Bar to the M.C. at Broodseinde Ridge and was Mentioned in Despatches at Bullecourt. He finished the war as a Temporary Major and returned to Australia on 7 July 1919. The full details of his Army career are in a report by his son Edward (Ted) Smythe in Chapter 14, with details of his service in World War 2 in Australia and New Guinea. He was granted the Honorary Rank of Major on 6 June 1919.

Military Cross

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He organized a strong patrol, and maintained his position under very heavy fire until relieved. He set a splendid example of courage and determination throughout.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 133
Date: 21 August 1917

Bar to Military Cross

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in supervising the whole battalion front at great personal risk, after all other company commanders and many platoon officers had become casualties. His personal reconnaissance materially aided the clearing of a wood.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 137
Date: 30 August 1918

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