SMITH, Albert James
| Service Number: | NX10387 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 2nd/17th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Gloucester, New South Wales, Australia, 12 November 1916 |
| Home Town: | Gloucester, Gloucester Shire, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Pumpkin Greek, Rawdon Vale, New South Wales, Australia |
| Occupation: | Farmer and Grazier |
| Died: | Tamworth, New South Wales, Australia, 31 March 2005, aged 88 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Gloucester General Cemetery, New South Wales, Australia |
| Memorials: |
World War 2 Service
| Date unknown: | Involvement Private, NX10387, 2nd/17th Infantry Battalion |
|---|
Help us honour Albert James Smith's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Bruce Taylor
Bert NX10387 enlisted with his lifelong friend Archie Geale, NX10388.
He was considered to be an outstanding horseman, rodeo competitor, sports and gymkhana competitor and cattleman.
“Soldiers Honoured.
Rawdon Vale and up-river residents on Saturday evening last entertained and made presentations to three of their A.I.F. representatives.
The social was arranged mainly to do honour to Private A. J. (Bert) Smith, but as Privates Archie Geale and Harry Freeman were home on
leave they, too, were inducted … About a dozen gentlemen, including Messrs. J. Gorton, G. D. Laurie, W. Penfold, A. K. Laurie, J. N. Laurie, W. Harris, Tom Geale, W. J. Laurie, Joe Bignell, Dick Hagen and Fred Young, spoke in eulogistic and eloquent terms of the three soldiers.
One of the speakers paid tribute to the boys in saying they were three of the finest specimens of young Australian manhood that would be
seen. They were the personification of physical fitness and graced the uniform which they were justly proud to wear. The doings of the three young men at Rawdon Vale Sports and similar events throughout the district were referred to … As good and daring horsemen they could hold their own with the best that any country district could produce. Bert Smith had the distinction of winning the first Mulga Bill race at Rawdon Vale and also had performed prominently in ring events at Gloucester Shows … As a bullock rider Archie Geale was one of the best that ever gripped a surcingle. These men who proved themselves good, honest, capable workers, great sports, not lacking in the love making game, so one young speaker confided to the gathering, and now were taking their places together with thousands of other sons of the Empire in the biggest job that man has ever stood up to. In this task they carry with them the best wishes of all for a safe and speedy return.”
Source: The Gloucester Advocate, Tue 26 Aug 1941, page 3, Soldiers Honoured.
NEW YEARNS DAY SPORTS AT RAWDON VALE.
A very successful Sports Carnival was held at Rawdon Vale on New Year's Day … The Rawdon Vale flying was run in divisions and resulted in Bert Smith's 'Henwood' and P. McLoughlin’s 'Dinky' dead heating in the final.
The bullock riding caused some excitement, as the rider had to secure their beast from the yard instead of from a race as is usually the case.
HORSE EVENTS. Rawdon Vale Flying — Bert Smith's 'Henwood' and P. McLoughlin’s, 'Dinky;' dead heat.
Source: The Gloucester Advocate, Tue 5 Jan 1932, page 4, NEW YEAR'S DAY SPORTS
"The Mulga Bill race was the outstanding event. To see these horsemen racing from the top of the bald knob down to the sports flat was not unlike a movie stunt. The winner, Bert Smith, of Rawdon Vale, one of the best horsemen in our district, received a great reception from the crowd ... SPORTING RESULTS. The results of the sporting events were as follows: Mulga Bill Race: Bert Smith 1; R. Mclnnes 2 ... Bullock Riding:Bert Smith 1, D.Abbott 2.
Source: "The Gloucester Advocate, Tue 8 Jan 1935, page 2, RAWDON VALE SPORTS & RODEO
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