Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Early Life

Elford Renner Smythe was born on the 3rd of November 1897 at Mackinnon Parade, North Adelaide, the son of Frederick Ernst "Ernie" Smythe and Minnie Elizabeth Renner of Petersburg (Peterborough), SA. Elford’s father was employed in the Resident Engineers’ Office of the South Australian Railways.

Schooling

Elford’s early schooling would have been undertaken at Peterborough where the Smythe family were living. Elford’s younger brother, Alan Cresswell Smythe, was born there on the 18th of September 1908.

Ernie Smythe and his family moved from Peterborough to Murray Bridge in April 1909. Elford passed the Education Department examinations in First Grade Model Drawing in December 1913. He attended Murray Bridge District High School, coming 19th in the Junior Examinations in 1913 and then Mt Barker High Schools,. Elford’s father had been a fine cricketer at Peterborough and Elford played cricket at Murray Bridge in 1914.

Pre-War Career

In June 1916, Elford was accepted for appointment to the professional staff of the South Australian Railways. He passed Intermediate Freehand and 2nd Grade Solid Geometry at the Adelaide School of Arts examinations in August and September 1916.

World War I

On the 16th of September 1916, Elford enlisted. He was 18 years and 10 months old with his occupation stated as a draftsman. His mother was named as his next-of-kin, but this was later changed to his father after the family had moved to Torrensville. Elford had been a Senior Cadet for four years and was a serving member of the Citizens Forces. Elford was 5’11”, 150 lbs, with a medium complexion, blue eyes and brown hair. Being under 21 years of age, Elford had required his parent’s permission to enlist.

He was given a farewell by the staff of the Resident Engineer’s Office at Murray Bridge in November 1917.

Elford went to Maribyrnong in Victoria and trained as a Gunner. He embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board RMS Orontes on 23rd of December 1916 and arrived in Plymouth, England on the 17th of February 1917.

Elford served on the Western Front and his movements during WWI are detailed in the AIF Project profile (see document). In November 1917, news arrived in South Australia that Elford had been gassed and was convalescing in London. Elford was at the Colchester General Military Hospital then the Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Dartford.

Elford returned to Australia onboard the troopship HMS Kashmir on the 30th of April 1919 and was discharged from the AIF on the 3rd of June 1919.

Adelaide University

Elford could have been enrolled as a student in the Faculty of Arts at Adelaide University, when he enlisted in September 1916. Although his name does not appear in the University Calendar’s list of students for 1916, his name does appear on the Adelaide University Honour Roll for the Faculty of Arts students.

On his return to civilian life after WWI Elford changed his focus and studied Engineering and Applied Science at Adelaide University and at the School of Mines, passing examinations in Compulsory Mathematics and Fitting and Turning in November/December 1919. Elford passed further subjects toward his degree in 1920 and 1921 and was still at University in 1922, however his name does not appear in the 1922 examinations pass lists.

University Sport

Football
Elford played football for the Adelaide University B Grade in 1920 and 1921; he was a member of the B Grade Premiership winning side in 1920.

Tennis
Elford played lawn tennis for the University D team in the Class III grade in the 1920/21 season and in the Adelaide University team in the Metropolitan Association in 1921/22.

Athletics
Elford competed in the Adelaide University Athletic Club Annual Sports in 1920-1922.In 1920 he won the 880-yds Handicap and the Mile Handicap, in 1921 he again won the 880 Yards Handicap and in 1922 he won the 880 Yards Championship.

In 1921 Elford represented the University at the South Australian Amateur Athletics Association competition in the 880 yards and the mile races. He was on the committee which ran the Intervarsity Athletics competition in Adelaide in 1922 and was a member of the competing side.

Rowing
Elford was a member of the Adelaide University Eight who rowed in the Intervarsity competition in June 1921. He weighed 11 stone 6 pounds at the time and rowed in seat 5.

Elford had been selected to row in seat 7 for the 1922 Intervarsity but had to retire owing to severe lumbago.

After the newspaper report above which states that ‘It is very unfortunate that a fine oarsman and first-class sportsman like Smythe should have to retire”, Elford ceases to appear in newspaper articles, except for an article relating to the Murray Bridge Roll of Honour until his untimely death in December 1923.

Death

Elford Renner Smythe passed away on the 12th of December 1923, aged 26 years, he was buried at the AIF Cemetery (5 West 14), West Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia on the 13th of December 1923.

Elford’s cause of death is not known however, his death does not appear to have been unexpected or the result of an accident as no details of a coroner’s case have been located and Elford was laid to rest the day following his death.

Author EE (Beth) Filmer

For the complete profile including photographs, newspaper articles, documents and sources prepared for the AUFC/AUCC WWI Memorial Project (in the period 2015-2019) please see the document attached.