SMEE, William Joseph
| Service Number: | 1717 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 4 August 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Farrier Corporal |
| Last Unit: | 12th Light Horse Regiment |
| Born: | Murrurundi, New South Wales , Australia, 10 March 1892 |
| Home Town: | Murrurundi, Upper Hunter Shire, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Butcher |
| Died: | Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia, 18 January 1969, aged 76 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Sandgate General Cemetery, Newcastle, NSW CATHOLIC 3-86. 55. |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 4 Aug 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 1717, Camel Corps | |
|---|---|---|
| 12 Dec 1916: | Embarked Private, 1717, Camel Corps, HMAT Medic, Sydney | |
| 12 Dec 1916: | Involvement Private, 1717, Camel Corps, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '3' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Medic embarkation_ship_number: A7 public_note: '' | |
| 25 Feb 1917: | Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 12th Light Horse Regiment | |
| 14 Aug 1917: | Promoted AIF WW1, Shoeing-Smith, 12th Light Horse Regiment | |
| 3 Mar 1919: | Promoted AIF WW1, Farrier Corporal, 12th Light Horse Regiment | |
| 24 Oct 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Farrier Corporal, 1717, 12th Light Horse Regiment, 2nd MD |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Evan Evans
From Gary Mitchell
Served during the Great War, now resting at Sandgate Cemetery, not forgotten.
53 years ago today, on the 20th January 1969, Farrier Corporal William Joseph Smee, 12th Australian Light Horse Regiment (Reg No-1717), butcher from Little Street, Murrurundi, New South Wales and Newcastle? N.S.W., was laid to rest at Sandgate Cemetery, age 76. CATHOLIC 3-86. 55.
Born at Murrurundi, New South Wales on the 10th March 1892 to Alfred George and Kathleen or Catherine Smee; husband of Sabina (Sabine) Anne (Annie) Smee nee Bohringer (married 1915, Mosman, N.S.W., died 1962, sleeping here), William enlisted August 1915 with the Camel Corps at Newcastle, N.S.W.
Admitted to hospital 9.3.1917 (mumps), William returned home August 1919, being discharged on the 24th October 1919.
I have not located Mr. Smee’s name inscribed on any known War Memorial or Roll of Honour.
William’s gravesite Plaque gives us no indication of his service with the 1st A.I.F., so I have placed poppies in remembrance of his sacrifice for God, King & Country.
Many thanks to William's Great Niece Lynette Wade for the notification, photo and family history.
William Joseph Smee was my Great Uncle.
He left with the Camel Corp on the 15th November 1915 for Egypt.
On the 17th February 1917 he arrived at an isolation camp at Moascar, the Suez Canal Zone in Egypt.
He was transferred from the Camel Corp General Reinforcements to the 12th Australian Light Horse Regiment.
He joined its first major battle on 19 April 1917 when it attacked, dismounted, as part of the ill-fated Second Battle of Gaza.
Great Uncle William took part in many battles.
He returned home on the HMAS Morvada and arrived on the 28th August 1919.
His Military Medals include the 1914/1915 Star, British War Medal & Victory Medal.
Younger brother John Frederick (12th Australian Light Horse Regiment, Reg No-1361, born 1894, died 1952) also resting at the cemetery. CATHOLIC 2-33. 137.
Lest We Forget.
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