Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Son of George James and Susan SMITH

South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA: 1839 - 1900) Monday 26 February 1900

[BY SUBMARINE TELEGRAPH.]

[Received February 26, 3 a.m.]

THE NORTH OF CAPE COLONY.

A SOUTH AUSTRALIAN SLAIN.

London, February 23, 3.34 p.m.

Private William Edwin Smith, of the first South Australian Contingent, was slain near Arundel on the 21st inst. The deceased was a native of Gumeracha, and was twenty-seven years of age. He was a mason by trade, and had belonged to the Petersburg Rifle Company for eighteen months prior to his departure for South Africa. He was unmarried. His mother, who survives him, resides near Wallaroo.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article54421661

South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA: 1839 - 1900) Tuesday 27 February 1900

THE LATE PRIVATE SMITH

PETERSBURG, February 26.

General regret was expressed at the news of the death of Private W.E. Smith at Arundel. He was a mason by trade, and had been living here for some years. He joined the Petersburg Company, V.M.R. in August 1888. He was about 27 years of age. His mother, Mrs. G. Powell, is living at Tickera. He was a member of the Salvation Army, and bore an excellent character; was a first-class horseman, and was very powerfully built. 

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article54430803

THE PRIVATE W. E. SMITH MEMORIAL.
Monday, July 30, was an important day in the history of Williamstown owing to the unveiling of the monument which has been erected by the people of the district in memory of Private W. E. Smith, formerly a member of the Petersburg Volunteer Company, who as a member of the first S.A. contingent for South Africa, met his death at Arundel. The monument, which is of Italian marble, and, with the base, stands 10 feet high, is the work of Mr. G. E. Morgan, of the Victoria Square, W., Monumental Works, and in execution and design is a real work of art. The stone, which is nicely situated, is quite an ornament to the town, and cannot fail to be seen by all persons travelling that way, the hill and green trees on the school ground being a splendid background. The stone has the following inscription upon it: " Erected in memory of W. E. Smith, once a resident of Williamstown, but who was killed at Arundel, South Africa, February 21, 1900, in the Boer war; also, all South Australians slain." The ceremony of unveiling took place at 4 o'clock. The monument, which was covered with the Union Jack, was unveiled by Mrs. Warren in the presence of a large concourse of people. While the flag was being drawn up the school children, under the leadership of Mr. Miller, the local head teacher, sang the National Anthem, after which Mr. Ross, chairman of the district council of Mount Crawford, gave an appropriate address " Soldiers of the Queen" was sung by Mr. G. Brown, after which the secretary (Mr. J. Mitchell, jun.) read the report, showing how the subscriptions had been expended. The total cost of the stone and railing was a little over £38, and the monument was unveiled free of debt. There was a balance of £5 required to settle the accounts and this was generously given by Mr. A. J. Murray, who was always ready to assist deserving objects.