Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

George Victor Smith was born in Yankalilla, South Australia, and is the son of James Smith. His mother's name is unstated. His family later moved to Goolwa for unknown reasons. Before the war George was a labourer/tradesman but when WWI started he raised his hand and enlisted in the army. He had no past experience with the armed forces so adjusting to military life was very difficult. He enlisted on the 16th of December 1914 in Morphettville and because he had no known illnesses or diseases he was accepted by the army.

For the first year that GV Smith served he worked with the 9th Light Horse Regiment. GV Smith fought bravely in Egypt. Over three quarters of the regiment was from South Australia and GV Smith was one of those people.

After the Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Albert Miel was killed in action, GV Smith was promoted to Sergeant and was seen as one of the leaders of the 9th Light Horse Regiment. On the 10th of December 1915, GV Smith went to hospital in England due to a deadly case of influenza. Once in hospital, he quickly recovered. Throughout the years that GV Smith served, he had a few injuries. For example, on the 27th of September 1915 he was shot in his right leg and then was transported to a hospital in London due to this injury. Throughout his service over 70% of his regiment died in action. He was retired from front line service after this injury and he did not serve at the front again during WWI.    

After the war GV Smith returned to South Australia where he lived a peaceful life with no spouse or children. He worked as a labourer/tradesman until the day he died, January the 23rd 1978, due to natural causes. GV Smith had tremendous luck not to die during WWI that was a great gift that many soldiers did not get. 

George Victor Smith was born in Yankalilla, South Australia, to James and Frances Mary Smith (nee Dunstall) on the 26th July 1892. He was the 2nd of 11 children to be born to the couple.

His family later moved to Goolwa, residing in what is now known as 'Addie's Place' on Loveday Street. [Adriana 'Addie' Smith (nee Croucher) being the wife of George's brother, Colin Frank]. Due to there being so many children residing in the small residence, the older boys were housed in a converted timber garage on the property, known to the family as 'The Boys Room'. Both the house and garage are still standing as at 2025, only having recently been sold out of the family again.

Before the war, George was a labourer/tradesman but when WWI started he raised his hand and enlisted in the army, as did his brothers; Eric, Hubert, & Alfred. He enlisted on the 16th of December 1914 in Morphettville.

"A welcome social was extended to two more Goolwa boys recently — Sergeants Bert (Hubert) and George Smith, of the 8th Light Horse. These two brothers were among the first to enlist, going into camp a month or so after the declaration of war. The family
had four sons abroad — three have arrived in
Australia, and one is to land shortly" - 28th August 1919, Southern Argus, page 3.

After the war, George returned to South Australia where he married Wealthy Vera (nee Trevorah) on the 24th September 1919 at St Luke's Church, Adelaide. Together they bore two children; Raymond Douglas George Smith in 1921, & Maureen Joy Smith in 1933.

Post WWI George worked in many roles, including a Police Sergeant at Goolwa, and later Marree & Lameroo.

Prior to leaving Goolwa in the late 1930s, George held the role of President of the local Returned & Services League (RSL).

During WW2 George enlisted in the Volunteer Defence Corps (VDC).

He passed away on the 23rd January 1978, aged 85, and was buried at Centennial Park Cemetery, Pasadena, SA.