SMITH, Walter Neil
| Service Number: | 3680 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 30 March 1916, at Adelaide |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 27th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Maitlan Maitland, Yorke Peninsula, South Australia Yorke Peninsula - South Australia, Australia , 7 May 1893 |
| Home Town: | Maitland, Yorke Peninsula, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Farmer |
| Died: | Natural Causes, Australia , 25 September 1970, aged 77 years |
| Cemetery: |
Gnowangerup Cemetery Presbyterian Section 005 Grave 20 |
| Memorials: | Maitland War Memorial |
World War 1 Service
| 30 Mar 1916: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 3680, 32nd Infantry Battalion, at Adelaide | |
|---|---|---|
| 12 Aug 1916: | Involvement Private, 3680, 32nd Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '17' embarkation_place: Adelaide embarkation_ship: HMAT Ballarat embarkation_ship_number: A70 public_note: '' | |
| 12 Aug 1916: | Embarked Private, 3680, 32nd Infantry Battalion, HMAT Ballarat, Adelaide | |
| 11 Nov 1918: | Involvement Private, 3680, 27th Infantry Battalion |
Walter Neil Smith – A Quiet Hero from South Australia
Walter Neil Smith was born on 7 May 1893 in Maitland, on South Australia's Yorke Peninsula. Like many young men of his time, he answered the call of duty during World War I, enlisting in the Australian Imperial Force on 12 August 1916. Assigned to the 27th Infantry Battalion, he trained in Egypt before serving on the brutal Western Front in France.
Walter’s journey took him across the world, far from the wheat fields and quiet towns of South Australia. He sailed aboard the HMAT Ballarat, endured long days of training, and faced the horrors of trench warfare. While records of his individual actions are limited, Walter’s service number — 3680 — ties him to the larger story of sacrifice and endurance by Australian troops on the front lines.
Family stories passed down through generations recall that after the war, Walter travelled to Scotland. Though the reason remains uncertain, it may have been to visit relatives or recover from the trauma of war in a peaceful setting. It is one of the few personal stories remembered today, reminding us that soldiers like Walter carried their wartime experiences with them long after the guns fell silent.
Walter Neil Smith passed away on 25 September 1970 at the age of 77. Though time has faded many details of his life, his legacy endures through the stories shared by family and the records kept in honour of those who served. He is remembered not just as a soldier, but as a resilient and humble man who lived through one of history’s darkest chapters with courage.
Submitted 4 April 2025 by Darcy smith
Biography contributed by Adelaide Botanic High School
Walter Neil Smith was born on the 7th of May 1893 in Maitland, South Australia. He lived his childhood in Maitland with his father James Smith (1850 - 1914) and mother Caroline Brooks (1852g - 1936). He worked as a farmer before his WW1 enlistment. He enlisted in the Australia Imperial Force at 22 years old on the 30th of March 1916. He embarked on the 12th of August 1916 from Adelaide on HMAT Ballarat A70.
While originally in the 32nd Battalion, Walter was soon transferred to the 27th Battalion. He served for about four months in France before being identified as unfit and returning to England, where he served out the remainder of the war and returning to Australia in 1919.
He died at the age of 77 on the 25th of September 1970 in Gnowangerup Shire, Western Australia, Australia. He was buried in Gnowangerup Cemetery, Gnowangerup Shire, Western Australia.
Biography contributed by Darcy smith
Walter Neil smith
Walter Neil Smith was born on 7 May 1893 in Maitland, South Australia. He spent his childhood in Maitland with his father, James Smith (1850–1914), and his mother, Caroline Brooks (1852–1936). Before enlisting in World War I, Walter worked as a farmer.
At the age of 22, he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) on 30 March 1916. He embarked from Adelaide aboard HMAT Ballarat (A70) on 12 August 1916.
Military Service
Initially assigned to the 32nd Battalion, Walter was later transferred to the 27th Battalion, part of the 7th Brigade of the 2nd Division. The 27th Battalion had already played a key role in the Gallipoli Campaign before moving to the Western Front in France, where Walter served for four months.
Due to health issues, Walter was declared unfit for combat and transferred to England, where he served for the remainder of the war. He returned to Australia in 1919.
Possible Post-War Journey
Family stories suggest that after the war, Walter may have travelled to Scotland before returning to Australia. The reason remains uncertain—perhaps he visited relatives or sought peace after the horrors of war. While no official record confirms this journey, it remains an integral part of the family’s memory of him.
Later Life & Legacy
Walter settled in Western Australia, where he lived for the rest of his life. He passed away at the age of 77 on 25 September 1970 in Gnowangerup Shire, Western Australia. He was laid to rest in Gnowangerup Cemetery.
Walter Neil Smith’s story is a testament to the resilience of Australian soldiers. Though much of his service was overshadowed by illness, his commitment to his country and his quiet strength left a lasting impact. His legacy lives on through his descendants and historical records that honour his service.