Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Harold was born on the 2nd June 1918 at Bordertown to William John and Daisy Blanche Smith. He worked as a labourer in the Riverland town of Loxton, from where he enlisted to serve in WWII. At the time, a huge drive was underway in country areas to encourage fit, active, preferably single young men to volunteer. Harry was one of the many who heeded that call, just days after his 22nd birthday.
He was given the number SX8224 and placed in the newly formed 2/48th Battalion, beginning his training at Wayville before moving to Woodside.
Prior to heading overseas, Harry and Irene Rita Lillian Geurin married on the 14th September ’40 before he boarded the Stratheden on the 7th November, arriving in the Middle East on the 17th December. The dust, heat, flies and rats plus incessant bombardment were in stark contrast to the tranquillity of the Riverland.
In June the following year, Harry sustained an accidental injury causing him to be hospitalised for several weeks. Back home, the Murray Pioneer reported that ‘Private H. W. Smith, previously reported dangerously ill, has now been removed from the seriously ill list. Pte. Smith lived for some time at Loxton. He went overseas about five months ago, after having; been at Woodside for 12 months. Private Smith's parents, it is believed, live In Adelaide. The soldier is 24 years: old, and single. (although army records indicate Harry was married). He worked on farms adjacent to Loxton and gave every satisfaction. He was a good cycle rider and rode in many races. He was initially recorded as being placed on the seriously ill list but was soon downgraded as ‘no longer dangerously ill’. However, Harry was consequently assessed as being unable to be involved with active field formations. This was exacerbated by him contracting sandfly fever and again being hospitalised. Harry then took on responsibility for being a Group II Cook in May ’42 until he was further assessed as being fit for active service.
By this time Harry had earned the unofficial but proudly held title of being a Rat of Tobruk. Originally designed to be a derogatory term designed to destroy morale and cause the soldiers to surrender, ironically it had the opposite effect.
Harry and the much depleted 2/48th Battalion finally returned to Australia via Melbourne in February ’43. The Murray Pioneer interviewed Private Smith on his return and shared that he enlisted in June 1940 and that in Tobruk he had with him a fine regiment, the Northumberland Fusiliers who were fine machine gunners. Harry also added that in Tobruk they did not shave, all growing beards. Christmas dinner in Palestine was particularly memorable with the men dining on ham, poultry, and puddings. Harry expressed how grateful the men were to the Comforts Fund for giving each a parcel.

Being ‘home’ was a challenging time for family men as they faced ‘normal’ life and tried to deal with the conditions they had experienced. Harry’s reaction was to go AWL from the middle of May and was still missing in June, before finally surrendering in the middle of July. He was placed in detention while a Court of Enquiry was held. His mental condition had deteriorated to anxiety and depression. To add to a tragic time, Harry and Irene’s infant son, Eric Wilfred died in hospital on October 31st ’44 and was buried in the West Terrace Cemetery. Inevitably, Harry was discharged as being medically unfit to serve on the 3rd January ’44.
In October ’45 34 men from the services, including Harry, were welcomed home at Loxton. Harry returned to his interest in cycle events which he had been involved with pre-war.
With Harry and Irene moving several times, Harry finally decided to apply in September and again in December ‘83 for the medals he had earned for his service. He clearly knew the exact number of days he had served ‘one thousand two hundred and seven days’. His medals finally arrived, small but precious recognition for his service.
Aged 71, Harry died on the 8th August 1989 and was buried in the Enfield Memorial Park Cemetery, Western Rose Garden AQ4. He is also remembered in the Garden of Remembrance at Centennial Park Cemetery. Irene lived to be 85 and died on the 14th April ’98. She now rests with Harry.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes, SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.