Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

The summary below was completed by Cathy Sedgwick – Facebook “WW1 Australian War Graves in England/UK/Scotland/Ireland 

Died on this date – 31st December…… Clement Smith was born on 30th March, 1886 at Mintaro, South Australia.

He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.) on 3rd March, 1916 as a 29 year old, single (later changed to married), Farmer from Morgan, South Australia.

Clement Smith married Myra Annie Natt on 20th May, 1916 at Adelaide, South Australia.

Driver Clement Smith, Service number 9671, embarked from Outer Harbour, South Australia on HMAT Suevic (A29) on 31st May, 1916 with the 11th Field Company Engineers, Headquarters. He was admitted to Ship’s Hospital on 20th June, 1916 while at Sea with Measles & discharged from Ship’s Hospital on 27th June, 1916. Driver Smith disembarked at Devonport, England on 21st July, 1916.

Reinforcements were only given basic training in Australia. Training was completed in training units in England. Some of these were located in the Salisbury Plain & surrounding areas in the county of Wiltshire.
On 24th August, 1916 Driver Smith was appointed Acting Lance Corporal with Company “O”, 11th Field Company Engineers.

He was admitted to 11th Brigade Field Hospital on 6th October, 1916 with Mumps & was discharged on 20th October, 1916 to Parkhouse. Acting Lance Corporal was discharged from Parkhouse, Wiltshire, England on 22nd October, 1916.

Acting Lance Corporal Clement Smith was sent to Hospital at Southampton on 24th November, 1916. He was admitted to Netley Royal Victoria Hospital on 24th November, 1916 with a Contusion of Chest (accidental) & was discharged on 5th December, 1916.
Acting Lance Corporal Smith was marched in to Command Depot at Perham Downs, Wiltshire on 5th December, 1916 & medically classified as Class A – fit for active service.

He was marched out from No. 2 Command Depot at Perham Downs on 12th December, 1916 & marched in to No. 3 Camp, Park House, Wiltshire, England on 13th December, 1916.

On 4th January, 1917 Acting Lance Corporal Smith was marched out to Brightlingsea from Australia Details at Perham Downs.

Acting Lance Corporal Clement Smith proceeded overseas to France on 17th February, 1917 to join B.E.F. (British Expeditionary Force). He joined 11th Field Company Engineers in the Field on 18th February, 1917 from A.G.B.D. (Australian General Base Depot).

[Note: No entries were recorded between 18th February, 1917 & 12th January, 1918.]
He proceeded on Leave to England from France on 12th January, 1918 & rejoined his Unit (11th Field Company Engineers) on 21st January, 1918.

On 1st March, 1918 Lance Corporal Smith proceeded on Leave to England from France & rejoined his Unit (11th Field Company Engineers) on 17th March, 1918.
Lance Corporal Clement Smith was sent sick to Hospital on 21st September, 1918. He was admitted to 11th Australian Field Ambulance then transferred to 55th Casualty Clearing Station on 22nd September, 1918 with Bronchitis. Lance Corporal Smith was transferred to Ambulance Train 3 on 24th September, 1918 & admitted to 11th Stationary Hospital at Rouen, France on 25th September, 1918 with Bronchitis. He was transferred to England on Hospital Ship Guildford Castle on 1st October, 1918.

He was admitted to Beaufort War Hospital on 2nd October, 1918 with Bronchitis. He was transferred & admitted to 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Dartford on 16th October, 1918 with “? Broncho Pneumonia.” Lance Corporal Smith was discharged to No. 2 Command Depot, Weymouth on 8th November, 1918 from Dartford.

On 8th November, 1918 Lance Corporal Smith was marched in to No. 2 Command Depot, Weymouth, Dorset, England. He was medically classified as C2 – Permanently unfit for General Service & temporarily unfit for Home Service. The Hospital Admissions form reported: “Rt side of chest explored for fluid – none present. Rt Base ___ diminished. Complains of attacks of vomiting.”

Lance Corporal Clement Smith was sent sick to Hospital at Monte Video on 15th November, 1918.

He was marched out from Weymouth on 2nd December, 1918 to 1st Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Harefield for Return to Australia.

Lance Corporal Smith was admitted to 1st Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Harefield on 3rd December, 1918 with Abscess of Liver.

A Medical Report was completed on Lance Corporal Clement Smith on 19th December, 1918 at 1st Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Harefield. His disability was listed as Suppurating Hyatid of Right Lung which he had first noted symptoms of in France on 22nd September, 1918. “Felt well until Sept. Prior to that had noticed some shortness of breath on exulsion was evacuated from France 22.9.18 with diagnosis of “Bronchitis”. At Base Hospital had cough & intermittent pyrexia with occasionally Pleuritic function at Dartford for an irregular temp rising to 103 o & 104 o. Dulness at right side of chest.” The Medical Case officer stated his disability occurred “probably prior to enlistment. Actual disability due to suppuration in cyst came on while on active service in France.” The Medical Board found on 21st December, 1918 that Lance Corporal Clement Smith was “CII – PUGS TUHS” (Permanently unfit for General Service & temporarily unfit for Home Service.)

On 30th December, 1918 Lance Corporal Smith was reported as dangerously ill with Hydated Liver.

Lance Corporal Clement Smith died at 17.00 hrs on 31st December, 1918 at 1st Auxiliary Hospital, Harefield Park, Harefield, Middlesex, England from Suppurating Hydated of Liver & Heart Failure.

He was buried in St. Mary the Virgin Churchyard, Harefield, Middlesex, England where 112 other WW1 Australian War Graves are located.

(The above is a summary of my research. The full research can be found by following the link below)
https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/o---w.html