SMITH, Ernest Joseph
| Service Number: | 3126 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 31 January 1917 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 1st Divisional Train |
| Born: | Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia, 12 January 1888 |
| Home Town: | Wickham, Newcastle, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Wharf labourer |
| Died: | Hamilton, New South Wales, Australia, 12 July 1965, aged 77 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Newcastle (Sandgate) War Cemetery CATHOLIC 3-88.138. |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 31 Jan 1917: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 3126, 36th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 10 May 1917: | Involvement Private, 3126, 36th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '17' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Benalla embarkation_ship_number: A24 public_note: '' | |
| 10 May 1917: | Embarked Private, 3126, 36th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Benalla, Sydney | |
| 10 Jun 1918: | Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 1st Divisional Train | |
| 20 Dec 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 3126, 1st Divisional Train, 2nd MD |
Help us honour Ernest Joseph Smith's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Evan Evans
From Gary Mitchell, Sandgate Cemetery
A Digger of The Great War resting in an unmarked grave at Sandgate Cemetery.
57 years ago today, on the 14th July 1965, Private Ernest Joseph Smith, 1st Australian Divisional Train, Australian Army Service Corps (Reg No-3126), wharf labourer from 48 Union Street, Wickham, New South Wales and 363 Hunter Street, Newcastle, N.S.W. and 71 Railway Line, Wickham, N.S.W. and 40 James Street, Hamilton, N.S.W. and 34 James Street, Hamilton, N.S.W., was laid to rest at Sandgate Cemetery, age 77. CATHOLIC 3-88.138.
Born at Newcastle, New South Wales on the 12th January 1888 to Thomas Joseph and Mary Smith nee Carlon, Ernest enlisted January 1917 with the 36th Battalion at Newcastle, N.S.W.
Admitted to hospital 28.4.1918 (trench fever), 27.11.1918 (myalgia, chronic rheumatism), 16.12.1918 (rheumatism, slight).
Ernest was invalided home May 1919, being discharged medically unfit on the 20th December 1919.
Mr. Smith’s name has been inscribed on the Newcastle Wharf Labourers' Union Roll of Honor. Name not inscribed on the Cooks Hill Superior Public School Roll of Honour or the St. Mary's-Marist Bros' School (Newcastle) Honour Roll.
I located Ernest resting in an unmarked grave, another Forgotten Digger of The Great War, so September 2021 I place a cross adorned with poppies at the gravesite in remembrance of his service and sacrifice for God, King & Country.
Many thanks to Michelle Foster for the confirmation and extensive family history.
Older brother James Thomas (30th Battalion & 14th Australian Field Artillery Brigade, Reg No-535A, born 1882, died 1948), resting at the cemetery in a marked grave. ANGLICAN 3-180. 58.
Service record states Died War Service 9/12/1948.
Plaque in New South Wales Garden of Remembrance.
I will be submitting an application to DVA asking for a Commonwealth War Graves Plaque, curbing and marble chip to restore Honour and Dignity to Ernest.
Contact with descendants would be greatly appreciated.
Lest We Forget.
Click images to start slideshow.