Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

James was born in the goldmining town of Kalgoorlie, Western Australia on the 23rd February, 1909. (gold had been discovered in the region in the mid 1890’s and by James’ birth a thriving town with elegant buildings had been developed.) His parents were Ethel Maud and Arthur Wearing Smith.
Younger brother, 25-year-old Charlton was the first to enlist in November ’39 in New South Wales as NX785 in the 6th Division Artillery. 30-year-old Jim, a bank official, enlisted on the 8th July the following year and was given the number SX8325, then being placed in the newly formed 2/48th Battalion. By October he had the rank of Acting Corporal, then rose to Acting Sergeant during his pre-embarkation leave. Jim left Australia on the 7th November on the Stratheden, arriving in the Middle East on the 17th December. Early the following January he was promoted to the rank of Sergent and began a course at Base Weapon Training School.
By the 24th June ’41 Sergeants Hugh Treloar and Jim received their commissions in the field on 24th June.
Two years after enlisting, Jim was severely injured on the 22nd July, 1942. He sustained a gunshot wound to his left shoulder and chest, resultantly being placed on the seriously ill list. Darren Paech in Adelaide to Alamein gave an insight into the battle conditions, explaining that all other officers involved had either been killed or wounded. “The last to fall had been 33-year-old Lieutenant Jim Smith of 17 Platoon, who was severely wounded by a machine gun burst. The German machine gunners were professionals; they would single out any man who appeared to be in charge and pick off the junior leaders of both attacking companies.”

The battalion lost many good men and others were wounded, later dying of their wounds. In late June, 42 with Rommel crossing into Egypt, the 2/48th Battalion was attempting to capture West Point in a dawn attack to capture Trig 33. This was achieved on the 10th July. In doing so, over 400 Italian prisoners were taken. The battalion then advanced south, capturing the Tel el Eisa station and repelling numerous counter attacks. However, they were eventually forced to withdraw, having suffered over 100 casualties. It was during this attack that fellow soldier, Private Stan Gurney was awarded the 2/48th Battalion’s first VC having captured two machine gun posts and bayonetted the gun crew firing on his company but was killed attempting to take a third. The 2/48th battalion suffered 215 casualties between the 7th July and 23rd October. Of that number, 64 men were killed and six, died of their wounds. 125 other men were wounded but survived.
In his book, ‘Tobruk to Tarakan’, John G. Glenn described the ferocious encounter;
‘When the troops were well forward of the start-line they came under terrific fire from shells and mortars from the front and left and suffered heavy casualties. With the slow deliberate movement of perfectly trained soldiers both companies continued the advance in perfect formation, over ground that trembled and erupted with vicious explosions. Through this, sometimes obscured by the smoke and dust, the men moved, and, as they advanced, the fire kept place with them, leaving behind the still shapes of fallen men among the camel bush and sand.’
Glenn later quotes 22-year-old Ray Bloffwitch SX7866 of D Company who was in the thick of the fighting:
“The noise was terrific: German machine guns were spreading the fire right across our front. The continuous call for stretcher bearers told of our casualties. My section had just cleaned out a pocket when I saw another section cut down. Wally Shane fell and did not move. Then a little further forward, Sergeant Lin Evans was hit twice.” On D Company’s front, platoon commanders Lieutenants O. Gooden and Jim Smith had been wounded.
The Chronicle published a list of those killed or wounded in that action in action in August ’42. From Jim’s battalion, they included SX1312 Pte. Reginald W. C. Brown Whyalla. SX12765. Pte. Charles A. Corfield Clare. SX7166 Pte. Arthur R. Davis Rosewater SX13018 Pte. Colin J. Hanley Port Augusta. SX8236 Pte. Gerald J. Hayes. Wirrabara SX6297 Pte. Donald S. Ridley Loxton SX11052. Pte. Walter M. Shane. 2/48th Spalding and SX8315 Pte. Robert O. Sunman. Port Augusta. Died Of Wounds SX8087 Cpl. Francis W. Fletcher, Aldgate SX8454 Cpl. Arthur A. Harding. Peterborough. Wounded In Action SX10613 Pte. Percy H. Evans,. Stirling East. SX8178 Pte. William E. G. Snider. Peterborough. SX6639 Pte. Gilbert M. Speck. Croydon. Accidentally Wounded SX13350 Pte. Douglas C St. Clair. Seaton Park. Believed Prisoner Of War SX13037 Pte. Melvin R Maynard. Clare. (Aged 17 he enlisted as Melvin Reginald, an assumed name, but was Allen Sydney Maynard.)
Jim was initially placed on the ‘seriously wounded’ list but within three weeks was able to be downgraded, until he was able to return to his battalion early in December. This was fortuitous as the battalion headed home to Australia via Melbourne early in February. Jim then returned to South Australia where his gunshot wound received more treatment. This had caused difficulty with chest-based movements. By July ’43 Jim was moved to the Prisoner of War camp at Barmera.
In a poignant but much appreciated gesture, Platoon Lieutenant SX8325 James W. Smith, wrote to the father of SX11052 Walter Shane, KIA. The letter was later published in the Areas’ Express in February ’43. It was written to express Jim’s sympathy in the loss of Daniel’s son and to describe the fine qualities of the young soldier who lost his life in Libya. “I realise how completely inadequate any words of mine must be, but I do want you to know how much I feel for and with you in your loss. Every man in my platoon joins with me in extending to you and your family our sincerest sympathy. Wally has been in my platoon since he joined the battalion back in the Tobruk days. He quickly settled in with us and I soon realised I had a chap of exceptional ability, as well as one in whom I could always rely. He was most popular in our very happy little family. Only a few days before the 22nd July, I had put Wal. in charge of his section and had recommended his promotion to lance-corporal. This would have been his first step up, but there would certainly have been more. We had a very difficult task on the 22nd, and Wally came in as one of my three section leaders. The boys in his section were delighted to be going in under him and I can assure you that he did a grand job until he gave his life, and it was one of his section, Stan Gurney, who went on alone and has since been awarded the Victoria Cross. Stan died too. Needless, to say, I am intensely proud of every man. I am sorry I have taken so long to write to you, but I was rather severely wounded that morning and still in hospital. I am one of the lucky ones, but still have a long wait before I shall be able to return to my gang. They are trying now to get a busted lung working again. I do hope some of Wally's personal belongings were recovered and sent on to you. I may have a recent snap or two to send. I am proud to have known Wally. It seems all wrong that one who lived so cleanly should have to die. Very sincerely yours, J. W. Smith.”
Officially, his gallant service in the Middle East over May ’42 until October that year, was finally recognised. “The King has been graciously pleased to (Jim) being Mentioned in Despatches in recognition of gallant services in the Middle East during the period 1/5/42 to 22/10/42’

By September ’43 Jim was classified as being able to undertake duties which ‘required only restricted medical fitness’. He was officially discharged on the 16th November ’43. In September 1944 Jim was presented with ‘two sew-on and one brooch type Mentioned in Despatches Emblems.’
The close bond, respect and loyalty of those who served together in the 2/48th continued to be evident. James’ unwavering support was of of one, SX7866 Raymond Bloffwitch who was court-martialled in July ’44. Jim had high praise for the young soldier who had admitted absence without leave on two occasions and escaping from the detention ward at a military hospital. “The name of Pte. Bloffwitch was a byword in his battalion for courage and bravery, This man has a marvellous record in the field, where he has been an inspiration to others. I knew him in Tobruk and at El Alamein he led what was left of his platoon until he was wounded. He was mentioned in despatches." He added that Raymond had also been outstanding at Finschhafen. (Ray’s defence was that he committed the offences because he had been worried about his mother who was ill at the time.) The court's attention was also drawn to take into account Bloffwitch's fine record where he won the Military Medal for gallantry in the Ramu Valley. However, the decision, handed down in August was that ‘Pte. Raymond Alfred Wilfred Bloffwitch, whose name was a byword in his battalion for courage and bravery, according to the evidence of an officer, was ordered detention for 30 days on two A.W.L. charges and one of escaping from confinement.’
The following year, Bloffwitch was again before the courts, for being AWL, choosing to travel to Adelaide to see two fellow 2/48th soldiers who had escaped from an Italian POW Camp. Jim, as a discharged lieutenant in command of Bloffwitch in the Western Desert, explained to the Court that Bloffwitch had enlisted at the age of 17, but claimed to be 20, and been mentioned in despatches. He was one of Jim’s best men, honest and trustworthy, but was definitely an "individual". At El Alamein two members of a section under Bloffwitch were taken prisoner. Bloffwitch fired on the prisoners' escort and freed the men.
Many years after the war, Jim was interviewed several times. His grandson also shared Jim’s photo album which recorded many of the areas in which Jim fought but also precious photos of the fine men with whom Jim shared so many experiences.
Aged 84, Jim died on the 5th January 1994. He is remembered at the Wall of Remembrance at Centennial Park Cemetery in Wall 1 Row B.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.