SMITH, Leslie George
| Service Number: | 5197 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 22 September 1915 |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 49th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Coraki, New South Wales, Australia, November 1996 |
| Home Town: | Coraki, Lismore Municipality, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Memorials: |
World War 1 Service
| 22 Sep 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 5197, 9th Infantry Battalion | |
|---|---|---|
| 31 Mar 1916: | Involvement Private, 5197, 9th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '9' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Star of Victoria embarkation_ship_number: A16 public_note: '' | |
| 31 Mar 1916: | Embarked Private, 5197, 9th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Star of Victoria, Sydney | |
| 20 May 1916: | Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 49th Infantry Battalion | |
| 30 Aug 1919: | Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 5197, 49th Infantry Battalion, 1 MD |
Help us honour Leslie George Smith's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Evan Evans
From Cathy Sedgwick's biography for brother Cpl Bert Smith
https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/uploads/4/9/7/8/4978039/smith_bert.pdf
Private LESLIE GEORGE SMITH
Private Leslie George Smith enlisted with his brother Bert, and has taken part in all the big engagements in France.
He is still well, and is now a transport driver.
From Pte. L. G. Smith (France.) : — It is with great pleasure that I write these few lines, thanking you for the kindness you have shown to the lads (who have left the little township of Coraki to do their duty in fighting for their King and country) by sending us parcels, which, I can tell you honestly, are very highly appreciated by all who
receive them. There are always a lot of mates around when the parcels are being opened, just to see what is sent from Australia. Yes ―Australia‖ is the motto' of us all. But this terrible war must be brought to a successful end, and this much we Australian lads are prepared to do. No doubt it is very hard for us at the present time. It is not only the enemy's fire, for we do not mind that at all. It is the cold and snow which are the worst. But still we can fight on through it all, because we know we have the enemy beaten and before long our hardships will be over, with a victorious ending in favor of the Allies. Then we know when we arrive home at our respective towns we shall be warmly welcomed for what we have done. Since I left I have met many of the Coraki lads over here in France, and sorry to say some have gone under. But I trust all who have been left to the present time may be spared to return and also have the same luck as my brother and I have. Thanking you once again for your kindness in forwarding the parcel, and trusting that your League may be well rewarded for the work it is doing for us over here.
(The Richmond River Herald and Northern Districts Advertiser, NSW – 6 April, 1917).
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