SMITH, William Henry
| Service Number: | 6582 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 7th Field Ambulance |
| Born: | Not yet discovered |
| Home Town: | Brisbane, Brisbane, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Not yet discovered |
| Died: | Killed in Action, France, 6 August 1916, age not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
No known grave - "Known Unto God" Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux, Picardie, France |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Villers-Bretonneux Memorial (Australian National Memorial - France) |
World War 1 Service
| 30 Dec 1915: | Involvement Private, 6582, 7th Field Ambulance, Battle for Pozières , --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '22' embarkation_place: Brisbane embarkation_ship: HMAT Itonus embarkation_ship_number: A50 public_note: '' | |
|---|---|---|
| 30 Dec 1915: | Embarked Private, 6582, 7th Field Ambulance, HMAT Itonus, Brisbane |
Verses for Harry Smith
A poem found within my grandfather's (A.J. Keast) 1917 war diary, written by his life long friend Jim Godfrey (Reginald J Godfrey). They met on enlistment in 1915, dying, Jim first in 1979, AJK in 1980.
(Undated)
Verses to the memory of Private H. Smith who sacrificed his life in the attempt to aid some wounded men lying under the immediate shell fire of the enemy.
Life greatest aim just lies
In simple sacrifice in vain
Not over idle boast
Not one harsh thought
Not one unkindly act
By him was wrought.
But as a Christine lives
Christ like he fought.
Strong in a simple faith
Christ as his aim
Nothing could mar his zest
Feeling us shame
'?' of himself
Like Christ became
Living from day to day
Just to fulfil
Each tasks that came his way
With zealous skill
Sharing another grief
With earnest will.
Not in the market place,
Where human eyes
Gaze half in pity down
On sacrifice
But, where great fear is felt
And darkness lies.
Thus in a crimson hour
Eager to save
With death at every turn
Fearless and brave
Just for anothers sake
His life he gave.
Nobly he lived - until
His end proved nobler still.
RJG
Submitted 24 April 2018 by Tom Stafford
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