Bertered George SMITH MM

SMITH, Bertered George

Service Number: 428
Enlisted: 10 May 1916
Last Rank: Private
Last Unit: 3rd Machine Gun Battalion
Born: Manilla, New South Wales, Australia, 19 February 1889
Home Town: Tamworth, Tamworth Municipality, New South Wales
Schooling: Not yet discovered
Occupation: Mechanic
Died: Tighes Hill, New South Wales, Australia, 6 February 1954, aged 64 years, cause of death not yet discovered
Cemetery: Sandgate General Cemetery, Newcastle, NSW
ANGLICAN 2-118. 54.
Memorials:
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World War 1 Service

11 Dec 1911: Honoured Military Medal, Third Ypres, 'For conspicuous courage and devotion to duty. This man was a Company Runner during the whole of the offensive at YPRES and PASSCHENDAELE and again through the whole of the fighting on the SOMME by this Division. In face of the most trying conditions of mud and shell-fire at PASSCHENDAELE and latterly on the SOMME offensive, no matter how trying the difficulties of his task, he has never failed his company. He always got there and did his job with a smile, and the spirit of his work has won for him the admiration and respect of every man in his Company, and the gratitude of his Battalion.' Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 135 Date: 11 December 1919
10 May 1916: Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 428, 1st Machine Gun Company
20 Oct 1916: Involvement Private, 428, 1st Machine Gun Company, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '21' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Port Lincoln embarkation_ship_number: A17 public_note: ''
20 Oct 1916: Embarked Private, 428, 1st Machine Gun Company, HMAT Port Lincoln, Melbourne
18 Feb 1917: Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 3rd Machine Gun Battalion
24 Jun 1919: Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 428, 3rd Machine Gun Battalion

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Biography contributed by Evan Evans

From Gary Mitchell, Sandgate Cemetery
 
Served bravely during The Great War, resting peacefully at Sandgate Cemetery.

67 years ago today, on the 8th February 1954, Private Bertered George Smith (M.M.), 3rd Australian Machine Gun Battalion (Reg No-428), mechanic or labourer from Inverell, New South Wales and 6 Mitchell Street, Tighes Hill, N.S.W., was laid to rest at Sandgate Cemetery, age 64. ANGLICAN 2-118. 54.

Born at Manilla, New South Wales on the 19th February 1889 (as Bertred) to James and Jane Pyne Smith nee Perry (McMullin) of Deepwater, New South Wales; husband of Catherine Smith nee Graham (married ?, died 1967), Bertered enlisted May 1916 with the 1st Australian Machine Gun Company at West Wallsend, N.S.W.

Admitted to hospital 23.11.1917 (scabies), 17.2.1919 (bronchitis), Bertered returned home May 1919, being discharged on the 24th June 1919.

I have not as yet located Mr Smith’s name inscribed on any known War Memorial or Roll of Honour. Research is continuing.

Photos show gravesite original condition October 2013, refurbished gravesite completion unknown.

Twin brother Benjamin Charles (13th Battalion, Reg No-1583, born 19.2.1889, died 1967, Inverell, N.S.W.) and younger brother Mark Alexander (served as DRICE, 4th Battalion, Reg No-1092, born 1892, West Maitland, N.S.W., K.I.A. - 6.9.1915) also served 1st A.I.F. and will be memorialised at the cemetery.

I have placed poppies to honour Bertered Smith’s service and Mark Alexander Smith’s supreme sacrifice for God, King and Country.

Many thanks to my dear friend Pauline Hanshaw for the notification.
Lest We Forget

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