SMITT, Eric William
| Service Number: | 1129 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 5 April 1915, Traralgon, Vic. |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 24th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Broadlands, Victoria, Australia, 1882 |
| Home Town: | Nicholson, East Gippsland, Victoria |
| Schooling: | State School 1716 Nicholson, Victoria, Australia |
| Occupation: | Labourer |
| Died: | Killed In Action, Mouquet Farm, France, 23 August 1916 |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" |
| Memorials: | Nicholson District Honor Roll, Nicholson School No 1716 Great War Cabinet |
World War 1 Service
| 5 Apr 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 1129, 21st Infantry Battalion, Traralgon, Vic. | |
|---|---|---|
| 10 May 1915: | Involvement Private, 1129, 24th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '13' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Ulysses embarkation_ship_number: A38 public_note: '' | |
| 10 May 1915: | Embarked Private, 1129, 24th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Ulysses, Melbourne |
Help us honour Eric William Smitt's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Faithe Jones
Son of Eric and Rosa SMITT (AS SPELT), Nicholson, Victoria
1129 Sergeant Eric W Smith - C Company 21st Battalion is a story with a twist. Eric was born Eric Smitt and there would be an obvious reason for Anglicising the family name. When he enlisted, Eric left a young son to be cared for and ultimately raised by his (Eric’s) mother, Rosa Smitt/Smith. After Eric was killed in August 1916, possibly near Moquet Farm and four days after promotion to Sergeant, an obviously heartbroken Rosa spent many years attempting to secure the medals she felt were owed to her son. Eric’s and Rosa’s names move between Smitt and Smith in correspondence over this time, interesting and moving in itself, but she ultimately succeeded in her quest. Fast forward around ninety years and a lone medal with Eric’s name on it surfaced at a market stall. Two teachers from Orbost Secondary College set about tracking the history of the medal and due to their amazing work it was reunited with a descendant of Eric’s, and I believe carried on a charity bike ride from Melbourne to Sydney.