Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Margaret Phillips

Club Historian Gilberton Amateur Swimming Club Inc.

Lancelot was the son of the late Mrs W.B. Oliver nee Ellen Jane Harrison. He worked for Walter and Morris as a Timber Order man but was by trade a platelayer. He was well liked in football circles and won the gold medal for best trained man in 1914 playing for Sturt Ramblers Club. After his enlistment his wife and one year old child Hazel stayed with Mrs Martin, Harrington Street, Prospect. Chronicle 9/9/1916 p43

He embarked on the Ceramic on 24 November 1915 but was never far from trouble.

On 9/12/1915 aboard the vessel he was charged with Absent Without Leave and Neglect of Duty and forfeited two days pay.

On 18/12/1915 at ‘Kantara’ Egypt he was charged with Absent without Leave, absent from Tattoo Roll Call, breaking bounds and given four days detention.

On 30/4/1916 in ‘Ismailia’ Egypt, Lance was charged with being AWOL 1800 – 1600 and Impeding a Provost Marshall and breaking arrest and awarded five days full pay.

On 6/6/1916 he embarked from Alexandria, Egypt aboard the E.S. Oriana and disembarked to join British Expeditionary Forces at Marseilles, France. He was killed in action on 31/7/1916.

"THE LATE SAPPER L. R. H. SMITH.

Sapper L. R. Harrison Smith enlisted in August, 1915, and was killed in action almost twelve months later. Previous to enlistment he was employed by Messrs. Walter & Morris. He was well known in football circles. He played for Sturt Ramblers Club, and was awarded a gold medal for the best-trained man in 1914. He was of a lively disposition, and was well liked by all who were acquainted with him. A widow and one child, who live at Prospect, are left. He was the eldest son of the late Mrs. W. B. Oliver, of Worsnop-avenue. He had another brother at the front." - from the Adelaide Chronicle 09 Sep 1916 (nla.gov.au)