SMITH, John Francis
| Service Number: | 323 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | Not yet discovered |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 6th Queensland Imperial Bushmen |
| Born: | Queensland, Australia, 30 December 1881 |
| Home Town: | Beaudesert, Scenic Rim, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Farmer |
| Died: | Queensland, Australia, 29 November 1944, aged 62 years, cause of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: |
Christmas Creek (Sacred Heart) Church/Graveyard Christmas Creek, Queensland, Australia |
| Memorials: |
Boer War Service
| 1 Oct 1899: | Involvement Private, 323 | |
|---|---|---|
| 4 Apr 1901: | Embarked Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Private, 323, 6th Queensland Imperial Bushmen, AWM Boer War Unit Details, Murray p. 506 notes 6th QIB embarked at Pinkenba 4 Apr 1901 aboard Victoria arriving Cape Town 2 May 1901. | |
| 23 Jun 1902: | Discharged Australian and Colonial Military Forces - Boer War Contingents, Private, 323, 6th Queensland Imperial Bushmen, AWM Boer War Unit Details, Murray p. 508 notes 6th QIB embarked at Durban 17 May 1902 aboard Devon returning to Australia arriving Brisbane 17 Jun 1902, disbanded 23 Jun 1902. |
Help us honour John Francis Smith's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Claude McKelvey
Also served in WW1, Private S.N. 334, 31st infantry Battalion AIF.
When John Francis Smith enlisted in 1901 in the 6th QIB and his details were published with the rank and file in The Queenslander, 13 Apr 1901, he noted his N.O.K. as J. F. Smith, Upper Logan. In the original Nominal Roll for the 6th Queensland Imperial Bushmen Contingent, held by National Archives, it is noted his N.O.K. was his father J.F. Smith, Wpper Logan.
He enlisted again in 1915 for WW1 and on his Attestation Form, dated 27 Aug 1915, he noted that; he was born at Kerry, Beaudesert and was 33 years 8 months of age; he was single working as a farmer; his N.O.K. was his father Mr. J. F. Smith, Sandgate; and he had previously served in the 6th QIB in South Africa.
He was born John Finegan Smith (Jnr) on 30 Dec 1881 in Queensland, a son to John Finegan Smith and Kate Smith (nee Horan). He married Margaret Mary Gorman on 17 Dec 1919 at Beaudesert, the town where they would reside.
His parents were resident at Christmas Creek and he spent the greater part of his youth in the district. He was a talented athlete and horseman participating in rough riding/rodeo events. After returning from the Boer war he was engaged in farming pursuits in the Beaudesert area up until he enlisted for WW1. He married after returning from WW1 but did not enjoy good health residing in Beaudesert until he passed.
(Source- Boer War Nominal Roll, Murray p. 516; National Archives Australia- B 5172 Nominal Roll 6th Queensland Imperial Bushmen Contingent Queensland Defence Force for service in South Africa, p. 5; National Archives Australia- WW1 service record; Obituary- The Beaudesert Times, 2 feb 1945, p. 2).
Click images to start slideshow.