Henry George (Harry) SMITH MC, DCM

SMITH, Henry George

Service Number: 1240
Enlisted: 26 October 1914
Last Rank: Lieutenant
Last Unit: 47th Infantry Battalion
Born: Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, December 1891
Home Town: Hobart, Tasmania
Schooling: Not yet discovered
Occupation: Postal assistant
Died: Suicide (war related), Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, 30 March 1941
Cemetery: Cornelian Bay Cemetery and Crematorium, Tasmania
Memorials: Hobart Postmaster-General's Department WW1 Honour Roll, Hobart Roll of Honour
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World War 1 Service

26 Oct 1914: Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 1240, 12th Infantry Battalion
22 Dec 1914: Involvement 1240, 12th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '10' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Themistocles embarkation_ship_number: A32 public_note: ''
22 Dec 1914: Embarked 1240, 12th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Themistocles, Melbourne
9 Mar 1916: Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 47th Infantry Battalion, TCpl
14 Mar 1916: Promoted AIF WW1, Sergeant, 47th Infantry Battalion, Was a TCpl before promotion
8 Aug 1916: Wounded AIF WW1, Sergeant, 1240, 47th Infantry Battalion, Battle for Pozières , GSW to left forearm
15 Oct 1916: Promoted AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, 47th Infantry Battalion
1 Mar 1917: Promoted AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 47th Infantry Battalion
19 Apr 1917: Honoured Distinguished Conduct Medal, Battle for Pozières , Pozieres, 7.8.16 'For conspicuous gallantry in action. He assumed command of and handled his company in the front line with courage and determination. Later, although wounded, he remained at his post. He set a splendid example to his men.'
27 Nov 1918: Honoured Military Cross, Dernancourt, 5.4.18 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When the enemy, in large numbers, had forced an entry through the flank battalion this officer as assistant adjutant, collected all details, signallers, runners, batmen etc. and occupied the gap until reinforcements arrived. During the whole time an intense machine gun fire was sweeping across the position. Later he brought back his party safely.' Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 185 Date: 27 November 1918
16 Feb 1919: Discharged AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 47th Infantry Battalion, Special leave 29/10/1918 Repatriation file suggests PTSD.

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Biography contributed by Faithe Jones

Distinguished Conduct Medal

'For conspicuous gallantry in action. He assumed command of and handled his company in the front line with courage and determination. Later, although wounded, he remained at his post. He set a splendid example to his men.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 62
Date: 19 April 1917
 

Military Cross

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When the enemy, in large numbers, had forced an entry through the flank battalion this officer as assistant adjutant, collected all details, signallers, runners, batmen etc. and occupied the gap until reinforcements arrived. During the whole time an intense machine gun fire was sweeping across the position. Later he brought back his party safely.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 185
Date: 27 November 1918

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