Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Allan Mableson Smyth was born in Riverton, South Australia on the 18th of February 1894. His father, Norman David Smyth, was 32 at the time (1861-1944) and his mother, Mildred Mary Mableson, was 27 (1866-1901). Allan Mableson Smyth was the 6th born out of 10 children. He had 9 siblings, 6 brothers and 3 sisters. Allan was described to have a dark complexion grey eyes and dark hair and served his trade as a farmer. He stood at 5ft 9in (175cm) and weighed 156lbs (70kg). On the 12th of  April 1915, Allan Mableson Smyth enlisted for WW1 as a private from the Cooks Plains at the tender age of 21 and 2 months.

April. 1916

2nd of April: The 10th Battalion were on board of SAXONIA – between Malta and Marseilles. They reached Marseilles at 11am and disembarked from the ship at 11:30pm. They were entrained for an unknown destination at 1:20am on the 3rd of April. However, they didn’t disentrain until 3pm on the 5th of April where they hopped off at Godewaersvelde.

5th of April: They marched to a village called Moolenacker, which is where they did, they conducted their training and route marching until 20th April they removed to Metren which was not far from the city of Sailly where his Brigade H.Q. was situated.

June 1916

On the night of Tuesday the 6th of June the 10th Battalion moved from Rouge Da Bout. On the 8th at 4pm the enemy severely shelled his battalion’s right convoy. At around 9:30pm there was another shelling aimed at another convoy. Shelling’s were a common attack throughout WW1. Shelling is when something is constantly fired with bombs. These attacks can be extremely detrimental to a structure of the wellbeing of someone but were an effective method of attack.

June turned out to be a month of attack whilst on the 26th of June at 3pm there was a heavy artillery duel lasting an hour till 4pm. Heavy artillery were heavy guns that could do major damage. They could be used and aimed at other artillery batteries (large guns), communication lines and also trenches meaning they could be extremely dangerous.

At some point (Unknown) in August 1916, Allan Mableson Smyth was promoted as a Lance Corporal (L.Cpl.) in the 10th Battalion. This rank is to that of a non-commissioned officer. It is the rank above Private (Allan Mableson Smyth’s original rank) and the rank just below Corporal. 

Soon after an event occurred, that would change the War for Allan completely.

On the 19th to 23rd of August 1916, Allan Mableson Smyth was reported missing in Infield France. On the 22nd Of August he was reported as a prisoner of war. Over 4,000 Australians were taken as prisoner of war throughout the First World War by the Turks and the Germans. Allan Mableson Smyth was captured by Germans at Pozieres, unwounded on the 22nd of August. Germany advised his detention on the 9th of September, at Dulmen. There were messages taken through the Red Cross, stating messages keeping track of Allan whilst he was a prisoner of war

13th November 1916

“We are today in receipt of cabled information from the Red Cross Commissioners in London, that the above soldier (Allan Mableson Smyth), who is officially reported ‘missing’ is a prisoner of war, at Dulmen, in Germany and quite well. The regimental number was slightly mutilated in transit therefore we have given both numbers (throughout, Allan Mableson Smyth was referred to with the regimental/service numbers 1684 and 2684 and they were unsure of his actual service number). We are inclosing a circular letter, which gives particulars relating to the prisoners of war

Yours faithfully,

Honorary Secretary

The next piece I believe is a quote from Allan based on him being captured in Dulmen.

Interned Dulmen

Received 7th April 1918

“I am well. I have changed my address. Have received most parcels. Sorry did not receive my parcel of boots and shoes that were sent. Otherwise O.K.”

The message above shows that Allan Mableson Smyth was left contactless for around a year and a half. This is the first written message they received from Allan since his reported disappearance in November 1916.

It is believed that for soldiers that were captured by Germany, especially toward the Western Front, were actually treated quite well. In this case, Allan Mableson Smyth would have been greeted in well kept and spacious quarters. As well as this being provided food that other ranks would either have to cook for him or he would have to cook.

If the Australian soldiers were in contact of the Red Cross, then that would mean that the London Red Cross would be able to supply them with food every two weeks. And toward the end of his time in captivity. Allan Mableson Smyth may have actually become one of the best fed people in Germany based on the supplies that he would be given.

The next message from Allan Mableson Smyth is stated below.

Interned Dulmen

4th August 1918

“This leaves me well. Hope to see you within 6 months if they get a move on with the exchange.”

Allan Mableson Smyth officially arrived in Hull in the UK on the 28th of November 1918. The following message was sent regarding his arrival.

“Dear Sir.

We are now in receipt of a cable, dated London, December 3rd from our Red Cross Commissioners, in which they notify that Private Smyth is an Exchanged Prisoner of War having arrived in England.”

It was officially notated that he had arrived on the 29th of November 1918. Only on the 18th of June was he officially discharged because of “Cessation of Hostilities”. 

After coming back from the War, Allan Smyth Mableson married Sylvia Jeane Anderson (1903-1968). They were married on the 13th of September 1922 in Adelaide, South Australia. Together they had children and became parents of at least 1 son, Kenneth Murray Smyth (1922-1925) who tragically passed away at the mere age of 3 years. Allan and Sylvia also had another child, a daughter named Sheila Jeane Smyth (1924-1978).

On the 9th of April 1969, Allan Mableson Smyth sadly passed away at the age of 75 in his hometown. He was buried in Mount Gambier, South Australia and forever will be remembered and tributed as someone who valiantly served for Australia throughout the First World War. His legacy now nor lost or forgotten.