Frank Nelson SMITH

Frank Nelson SMITH Update Details

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SMITH, Frank Nelson

Service Numbers:	65447, NX18262
Enlisted:	2 April 1939
Last Rank:	Private
Last Unit:	20th Australian Infantry Brigade
Born:	Denman, New South Wales, Australia, 12 November 1919
Home Town:	Denman, Muswellbrook, New South Wales
Schooling:	Not yet discovered
Occupation:	Farmer
Died:	Died of wounds, Italy, 1 May 1941, aged 21 years
Cemetery:	Beach Head War Cemetery, Anzio, Italy 31 October 1940 - reported MiA, believed Died of Wounds at Tobruk 1 May 1941 reported Died of Wounds 20 February 1953 - family advised remains located in the Aversa Communal Cemetery in Italy, and reburied at Beach Head War Cemetery in Anzico, Italy (Plot A, Row J, Grave 3),
Memorials:	Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Ballarat Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial

World War 2 Service

2 Apr 1939:	Enlisted Trooper, 65447, 12th Light Horse Regiment
3 Sep 1939:	Involvement Private, NX18262
28 May 1940:	Enlisted Australian Army (Post WW2), NX18262, 20th Australian Infantry Brigade, 2/13th Australian Infantry Battalion
28 May 1940:	Enlisted Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Private, NX18262, 2nd/13th Infantry Battalion
19 Oct 1940:	Embarked Australian Army (Post WW2), NX18262, 20th Australian Infantry Brigade, Private - 2/13th Australian Infantry Battalion ex Sydney for the Middle East

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Biography contributed by Chris Buckley

Frank was the youngest of eight children of Henry (Harry) Herbert Smith (born 1878 in Essex in England) and Ellen (Nell) Thirza Davis (born 1880 in Raymond Terrace in NSW). Harry and Nell married in 1906 in Raymond Terrace, near Newcastle, NSW and raised their family in the region. Harry was a Farmer, and Frank was Farming at Denman, in Musswelbrook, NSW when he enlisted in the CMF in 1939. He served as a Trooper (Service No: 65447) with the 12th Light Horse Regiment, and in May 1940 enlisted in the Australian Army. He served with the 2/13th Australian Infantry Battalion (also known as the 'Devil's Own') as a Private (Service No: NX18262). Frank trained at Ingleburn Army Camp, where the 2/13th, as part of the 20th Brigade, embarked from Sydney Harbour in October 1940, bound for the Middle East.

Frank was initially reported MIA, believed wounded on 31 October 1940, and on 1 June 1941 was reported dead. On 20 February 1953, the family recieved notifiation that 'NX18262 Pte Smith FN. The remains of the above - named deceased member of the 2/13 Aust, Inf. Bn. have been located in the AVERS Communal Cemetery, Italy, and reburial effected into the beach head War Cemetery, Anzio, Italy, Plot A, Row J, Grave 3" (Source: National Archives of Australia)

Two of Frank's brothers served with the ACMF in WWII - John (Jack) Lancer Smith as a Private (Service no: N289209) and Henry Raymond Smith as a Craftsman (Service Nos: NX171240/N276404). Three of his Borthers - in - Law also served - Cyricl Frank Prout served in WWI with 24th Australian Infantry Battalion as a Corporal (Service No: 6113); Ivor Aspley Hewitt served with the 12th Light Hosre Regiment as a Lieutenant (Service Nos: NX137589/N671); and Edgar (Ted) Melville Lamb served with 32 Battalion Volunteer Defence Corps as a Gunner (Service No: N154727)

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