SMITH, Francis James
| Service Number: | 2662 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 9 August 1916 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 34th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Scone, New South Wales, Australia, 31 October 1890 |
| Home Town: | Scone, Upper Hunter Shire, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Telegraph Linesman |
| Died: | The Junction, New South Wales, Australia, 27 July 1958, aged 67 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Sandgate General Cemetery, Newcastle, NSW CATHOLIC 2-74. |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 9 Aug 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2662, 34th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 7 May 1918: | Imprisoned Captured Villers-Bretonneux, Northern France | |
| 4 Aug 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 2662, 34th Infantry Battalion, 2nd MD | |
| Date unknown: | Involvement Private, 2662, 34th Infantry Battalion |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Evan Evans
From Gary Mitchell, Sandgate Cemetery
Served and suffered during The Great War, resting at Sandgate Cemetery, Honour and Dignity to be restored.
64 years ago today, on the 28th July 1958, Private Francis James Smith, referred to as Frank, 34th Battalion (Reg No-2662), telegraph & telephone linesman from Guernsey Street, Scone, New South Wales and Concord, N.S.W. (1957) and 29 Kendrick Street, The Junction, N.S.W., was laid to rest at Sandgate Cemetery, age 67. CATHOLIC 2-74. 12. Not married.
Born at Scone, New South Wales on the 31st October 1890 to Francis and Ellen Smith nee White, Frank enlisted August 1916 at Newcastle, N.S.W.
Admitted to hospital 27.4.1917 (scabies), 4.1.1918 (scabies).
Reported Missing in Action 7.5.1918 (Villers-Bretonneux, Northern France).
Reported P.O.W. in German hands 20.6.1918.
Repatriated 21.12.1918.
Arrived in England 26.12.1918.
Frank was invalided home May 1919, being discharged on the 4th August 1919.
Mr. Smith’s name has been inscribed on the Scone District First World War Honour Roll and the Scone War Memorial (as E. J. SMITH). Name not inscribed on the Scone Public School First World War Honor Roll.
I located this Forgotten Digger resting in an unmarked grave, so September 2021 I placed a cross adorned with poppies at the gravesite in remembrance of his service and sacrifice for God, King & Country.
I submitted an application to DVA October 2021 asking for a Commonwealth War Graves Plaque, curbing and marble chip, but unfortunately a decision is still pending, even though Frank should automatically qualify as he was a Prisoner of War.
Lest We Forget.
Click images to start slideshow.