SMITH, Albert
| Service Number: | 3906 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 19 December 1914 |
| Last Rank: | Farrier Sergeant |
| Last Unit: | 2nd Field Artillery Brigade |
| Born: | Richmond, Tasmania, Australia, 5 March 1883 |
| Home Town: | Richmond (T), Clarence, Tasmania |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Dealer |
| Died: | 1962, cause of death not yet discovered, place of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: | P.A.F.S. Loyal Star of Flemington HR |
World War 1 Service
| 19 Dec 1914: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Driver, 3906, 2nd Field Artillery Brigade | |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Feb 1915: | Involvement Driver, 3906, 2nd Field Artillery Brigade , --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '3' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: SS Hessen embarkation_ship_number: A45 public_note: '' | |
| 2 Feb 1915: | Embarked Driver, 3906, 2nd Field Artillery Brigade , SS Hessen, Melbourne | |
| 3 Apr 1915: | Promoted AIF WW1, Farrier Sergeant, 2nd Field Artillery Brigade |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Stephen Brooks
Albert Smith was the oldest and only survivor of the four sons of Samuel and Bridget Smith of Richmond, Tasmania. The parents lived in the former Union Hotel at Richmond and operated a horse-drawn carrier business. Their youngest son, Private Eric Smith, 52nd Battalion, a horse driver aged 19, was killed near Zonnebeke, Belgium, on 12 October 1917. Six months later, on 14 March 1918, Private Hedley Smith, aged twenty-three, was killed in action at Zillebeke, Belgium. Two weeks after this, Lance-Corporal Percy Smith, 40th Battalion, aged 27, was killed in action near Mericourt-l’Abbé, Belgium, on 28 March 1918.
Albert Smith had served in the Boer War with the 3rd Battalion, Australian Commonwealth Horse. He married during 1907 and was the father of three children when he enlisted again during 1914 and served at the Anzac landing with the 2nd Field Artillery Brigade. He was soon after shot through the ankle and evacuated to England to recover. He returned to Egypt during early 1916 and was promoted to Company Quarter Master Sergeant in the Camel Transport Corp.
His mother Bridget wrote several letters to the Commandant of the 6th Military District in Tasmania, Colonel Clark, asking for the return of Albert Smith to Australia. Colonel Clark wrote to the AIF, pointing out that both parents were aged in their sixties and were having health problems and Albert Smith had been serving since 1914 and distressingly, his three brothers had lost their lives.
Albert Smith was returned to Australia 12 July 1918.
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