SMITH, Ross
| Service Number: | 3910 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 14 August 1915, Holsworthy, New South Wales |
| Last Rank: | Lance Corporal |
| Last Unit: | 3rd Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | St Peters, New South Wales, Australia, 30 November 1881 |
| Home Town: | Lidcombe, Auburn, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Lidcombe State School and Auburn Boys Public School, New South Wales, Australia |
| Occupation: | Labourer/Station hand |
| Died: | Killed in Action, Belgium, 4 October 1917, aged 35 years |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Flanders, Belgium |
| Memorials: | Auburn Boys Public School Pictorial Honour Roll, Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 14 Aug 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 3910, Holsworthy, New South Wales | |
|---|---|---|
| 30 Dec 1915: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 3910, 3rd Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '7' embarkation_place: Sydney embarkation_ship: HMAT Medic embarkation_ship_number: A7 public_note: '' | |
| 30 Dec 1915: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 3910, 3rd Infantry Battalion, HMAT Medic, Sydney | |
| 4 Oct 1917: | Involvement AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 3910, 3rd Infantry Battalion, Broodseinde Ridge, --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: 3910 awm_unit: 3 Battalion awm_rank: Lance Corporal awm_died_date: 1917-10-04 |
Help us honour Ross Smith's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by John Edwards
"...3910 Private (later Lance Corporal) Ross Smith 3rd Battalion of Lidcombe, NSW. A labourer prior to enlisting, he embarked from Sydney aboard HMAT Medic (A7) on 30 December 1915. He was killed in action on 4 October 1917 at Broodseinde Ridge, Belgium, aged 35. He has no known grave and is remembered with honour on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium." - SOURCE (www.awm.gov.au)
Biography contributed by Stephen Brooks
Ross Smith came from a large family of children which included seven sons. He married at 24 years of age to Ianthe Ada, during 1905. He was born and raised in Lidcombe, New South Wales, and he and his wife resided in Oxford Street, along with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Smith. As a boy he attended the Auburn Superior Public School, and his name appears on the school's honor roll.
He enlisted the same day as his younger brother Arthur, and both left Australia with the 3rd Battalion during December 1915.
His brother, 3978 Cpl. Arthur Johnson 3rd Battalion AIF, was later killed in action on 24 June 1918, aged 24.
Both soldiers, prior to enlisting were employed on the outdoor staff of the Lidcombe Council, and were noted for their good service. They were given a hearty send-off by their work mates and overseer, with the mayor present, and were presented with gifts of friendship and esteem.
Ross was badly wounded at Pozieres on 26 July 1916, and was evacuated to England with a gunshot wound to his left leg. His wound was severe and it was almost 12 months before he rejoined the 3rd Battalion at the front during June 1917. He was promoted to Lance Corporal during August 1917.
Ross Smith was seen to be killed by a shell during the Battle of Broodseinde in Belgium on 4 October 1917. He was buried at the time but his grave was lost.
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