Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of John and Annie Small, of "Kinrissie," Kent St., Epping, New South Wales, Australia.

Lieutenant Small was an engineer at Cockatoo Island, and in the drawing department of the Naval ofice, Melbourne.  He was 25 years of age when he died.

Five of the eight sons of Mrs. Small, of 20 Annandale-street, Annandale, are now serving their country. Of the remaining three, one did his duty in the Boer war, whilst another volunteered, but was rejected. Private John H. Small, aged 30 was formerly a master baker in Biggenden (Q.). He belongs to the 1st Reinforcements of the 20th Battalion. Lieutenant Alec Small, anxious to get to the front speedily, left Sydney in February, 1915, and joined the forces in England. He is 25 years of age, and attached to the East Lancaster Regiment. Private Charles E. Small was formerly a contractor, and enlisted in Queensland, going forward with the 13th Reinforcements to the 3rd Field Ambulance. Private Leslie L. Small is a twin-brother to W. F. and was formerly employed as a carriage builder. He is a member of the 20th Battalion. The fifth member, W. F. Small, is 23 years of age, and an engineer on one of the transports.

LIEUT. A. C. SMALL.—Lieut. A. C. Small was killed in action on October 23. He was wounded on July 8, and for his gallant conduct from July 7 to July 9 he was awarded the  Military Cross. The official report states that he led his platoon nearly 600 yards across the open under machine-gun and rifle fire, and reached his objective. When wounded, he  returned to duty after his wound had been dressed, and set a fine example during the operations of the next two days. Deceased was educated at Fort-street and at 15 years of age went to Dundee, Scotland, to be apprenticed to the engineering profession. He spent five 3-ears there, taking honours every year in his technical course. Returning to Sydney at the age of 21 years, he received an appointment in the drawing office at Cockatoo Island, and was subsequently transferred to the Naval Office, Melbourne. In January, 1915, he went to  England to enlist, and received his commission with the East Lancashire Regiment. Deceased was 25 years of age. 

The District Commandant, Brigadier-General Lee, acting on behalf of the Governor-General, on February 8 visited the home of Mrs. Small, in Annandale-street, Annandale, and  presented her with the Military Cross, won by her son, Second-Lieutenant A. G. Small. The Cross was earned by Second-Lieutenant Small, who was serving in the East Lancashire  Regiment, but he was killed in action in France before he could be invested.
The ceremony was performed in the presence of Mrs. Small's family. Mrs. Small has had six sons at the war.

Mrs. John Small, of Annandale, has been doing her part in common with other women for the war, having sent five of her sons to the front, which is not at all a bad record. The eldest boy John; H. small, is in hospital with a broken shoulder from a bullet wound in France ; Charles E.Small is serving in France with the Queensland Army Medical Corps;  Alexander Couper Small joined the East Lancashire Regiment, packing up and going to England soon after war broke out, and he was awarded the Military Cross. The notice appeared in the London 'Times' of 26th August. 'Temp. Second-Lieut. A. C. Small, for conspicuous gallantry in action. He led his platoon with great dash nearly 600 yards across  the open, under machine-gun and rifle fire, and readied his objective. When wounded he returned to duty after his wound was dressed, and set a fine example during the operations of the next two days.' Unfortunately his mother received a cable on Monday, notifying her that he was killed in action on the 23rd October. The fourth son, Leslie  McG. Small is in hospital, suffering from wounds received from the accidental explosion of a bomb. He had two wounds on the left thigh, two below the left knee, twelve on the right  leg, one on the forehead, the back of the ear, on the chest, on the stomach, left arm, and on the back of two of his fingers, making twenty two wounds in all. Some of them were  only slight fresh wounds, but it shows how the metal scatters from a bomb.  Fourteen were more or less severely wounded by the one bomb. The fifth son, William  Filmer Small, was present at the Gallipoli landing, but has returned home. Ho was on transport duty. He wants to go to the front again, but they have refused to allow him to leave the Naval Dockyard where he is employed. Mr. John Small, the father, died since the boys went away. Ho was a brother of Mr. Couper, who will bo remembered by old residents of East  Maitland. Her husband had one of the early bakery businesses in that town. Mrs. Small is eldest sister of Mr. Albert R. Filmer, of Telephone Construction Branch of the Public 
Service, and an Old Maitlander.