The AIF Project

Frank SMITH

Regimental number595
Place of birthGeraldton, Western Australia
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationBarman
AddressBroken Hill Hotel, Boulder, Western Australia
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation23.6
Height5' 6.25"
Weight155 lbs
Next of kinM J Smith, Mullewa, Western Australia
Enlistment date3 September 1914
Place of enlistmentBlackboy Hill, Western Australia
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name11th Battalion, E Company
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/28/1
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Fremantle, Western Australia, on board HMAT A11 Ascanius on 2 November 1914
Rank from Nominal RollCaptain
Unit from Nominal Roll51st Battalion
Promotions

2nd Lieutenant


Unit: 51st Battalion
Promotion date: 12 March 1916

Captain


Unit: 51st Battalion
Promotion date: 4 August 1917

Lieutenant


Unit: 51st Battalion
Promotion date: 20 August 1917

Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Mention in Despatches


Awarded, and promulgated, 'Commonwealth Gazette' No 44, 6 April 1916.

FateKilled in Action 25 April 1918
Place of burialAdelaide Cemetery (Plot III, Row E, Grave No 24), Villers-Bretonneux, France
Medals

Military Cross

'For conspicuous gallantry in action. During an attack he brought up three machine guns, and dug in about 60 yards from the Enemy's trenches. Here he assisted several wounded to get away. Next morning he was called on to surrender by about 60 of the enemy, but he mowed them down with his guns. Finally, after holding out 12 hours, he withdrew his party and got all his guns away.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No 62
Date: 19 April 1917

Other details

War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front

Statement, Red Cross File, 2859 Pte A.G. REYNOLDS, A Company, 51st Bn (patient, No 3 Stationary Hospital, Rouen), 8 August 1918: 'He was killed by a sniper in the morning after our counter-attack at Villers-Bretonneux, in a dangerous corner of the trwench as he was going from one Plt. to another. He was warned to move from the place but just too late.'

Second statement, 7744 Pte H.E. LYNKS, 51st Bn, 12 August 1918: 'I knew him well by sight. He was rather stout, about 5 feet 9. He was killed on April 25th, the day after we went over the top, by a sniper. He was taking a message to H.Q. 50th Battalion which was on our right. He was standing at the entrance outside H.Q. when I saw him sniped & he immediately fell into a shell hole. It was about 11 p.pm on the 28th. (sic) when he was killed.'

Medals: Military Cross, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
SourcesNAA: B2455, SMITH Frank
Red Cross File No 2540701J

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