Robert Bertie SMITH

Robert Bertie SMITH Update Details

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SMITH, Robert Bertie

Service Number:	2166
Enlisted:	5 March 1917
Last Rank:	Private
Last Unit:	2nd Machine Gun Battalion
Born:	Glen Osmond, Adelaide, South Australia, 29 April 1893
Home Town:	Adelaide, South Australia
Schooling:	Not yet discovered
Occupation:	Gardener
Died:	War injuries, Adelaide, South Australia, 26 December 1937, aged 44 years
Cemetery:	North Brighton Cemetery, S.A.
Memorials:	Adelaide High School Great War Honour Board, Glenelg Uniting Church WW1 Honour Board, Glenelg and District WW1 & WW2 Honour Board

World War 1 Service

5 Mar 1917:	Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2166, Machine Gun Companies and Battalions
26 Nov 1917:	Involvement AIF WW1, 5th Machine Gun Battalion
26 Nov 1917:	Involvement Private, 2166, Machine Gun Companies and Battalions, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '21' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: SS Indarra embarkation_ship_number: '' public_note: ''
26 Nov 1917:	Embarked Private, 2166, Machine Gun Companies and Battalions, SS Indarra, Melbourne
1 Jan 1918:	Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 2nd Machine Gun Battalion, Robert Smith was transferred from the 5th Machine Gun Battalion. The 5th, 6th and 7th and the 22nd Machine Battalions were combined to make the 2nd Machine Gun Battalion in 1918.
2 Sep 1918:	Wounded Private, 2166, 2nd Machine Gun Battalion, Mont St Quentin / Peronne, Wounded on the 2nd of September 1918, Battle of Mont St Quentin/ Peronne
9 Mar 1919:	Discharged AIF WW1, Private, 2166, 2nd Machine Gun Battalion
Date unknown:	Wounded 2166, 2nd Machine Gun Battalion

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Biography contributed by Glenunga International High School

Robert Bertie Smith lived in Adelaide, South Australia. He worked as a market gardener

Private Robert Bertie Smith enlisted on the 5 of March 1917 at the age of 24. He weighed 153 lbs and was 5'7.5" tall. He Embarked from Melbourne on the 26 of November 1917 aboard the SS Indarra on route to Egypt. Private Smith was then transported to England to complete his military training. He was eventually moved France sometime in June 1918.

Private Smith fought in the battle of Mont St Quentin/ Peronne and was wounded on the 2nd of September 1918. He suffered bullet and shrapnel wounds to the arm, leg and head.

He was sent home aboard the HT Nestor and arrived in Australia 30th of December 1918. Private Smith was discharged (medically unfit) from the army on the 9 of March 1919. Smith received the British War Medal and the Victory Medal for his service.

Private Smith married after the war and had 6 children. He beacame a locally famous market gardener known as the "The Cucumber King" because of success in growing cucumbers. Robert Bertie Smith later died of war wounds on the 26 of December 1937 at the age of 44. Smith was buried at the North Brighton Cemetary, Adelaide, South Australia.

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