Charles Henry SMITH

Charles Henry SMITH Update Details

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SMITH, Charles Henry

Other Name:	MAY, George Thomas Maurice - True name:Service Record
Service Number:	3892
Enlisted:	8 March 1916
Last Rank:	Private
Last Unit:	30th Infantry Battalion
Born:	Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1898
Home Town:	Erskineville, City of Sydney, New South Wales
Schooling:	Not yet discovered
Occupation:	Coal Miner
Died:	Killed in Action, Belgium, 30 September 1917
Cemetery:	Hooge Crater Cemetery, Belgium IXA. K. 18.
Memorials:	Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour

World War 1 Service

8 Mar 1916:	Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 3892, 30th Infantry Battalion
24 Aug 1916:	Involvement Private, 3892, 30th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '16' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Anchises embarkation_ship_number: A68 public_note: ''
30 Sep 1917:	Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 3892, 30th Infantry Battalion, Killed in Action on this day. " OUR BOY TOO DEARLY LOVED TO EVER BE FORGOTTEN."

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Biography contributed by Aubrey Bairstow

Charles Henry Smith, coalminer was born at Erskineville, Sydney, NSW. When he enlisted on 8 March 1916 at RAS Showground, Sydney he stated that he was aged 23. He was in fact no more than 18 and living in Petersham, Sydney.

He embarked on 24 August 1916 and whilst in the UK faced various punishments for being asleep on duty or AWL.

He embarked for France on 5 December 1916 and was taken on strength with 30 Battalion on 29 December 1916.

He was killed in action 30 September 1917 during the battles at Ypres. He was buried at Hooge Crater Cemetery, Zillebeke near Ypres.

Following his death Charles Henry Smith's real name was found to be George Thomas Maurice May and his true age at the time of his death was 19. His medals were issued to his father.

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