Herbert James SMITH

Regimental number2913
Date of birth--/05/1894
Place of birthHeston, Hounslow, Middlesex, England
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationBookkeeper
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation21
Height5' 4"
Weight132 lbs
Next of kinMother, Mrs Ann Rumf, 100 Boston Road, Hanwell, London,, England
Enlistment date28 June 1915
Place of enlistmentLiverpool, New South Wales
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name3rd Battalion, 9th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/20/2
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A8 Argyllshire on 30 September 1915
Rank from Nominal RollPrivate
Unit from Nominal Roll55th Battalion
FateReturned to Australia 4 December 1920
Discharge date16 May 1921
Other details

War service: embarked Sydney, 30 September 1915.

Admitted to 1st Australian General Hospital, Heliopolis, Egypt, 18 December 1915; discharged to duty, 25 January 1916. Taken on strength, 3rd Bn, Tel-el-Kebir, 5 February 1916; transferred to 55th Bn, 13 February 1916. Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 19 June 1916.

Admitted 14th Stationary Hospital, Boulogne, France, 21 July 1916 (blown up by shell: sustained shell shock); invalided to England, 22 July 1916; transferred to Military Hospital, Tooting, with severe shell shock, 23 July 1916; to No. 1 Auxiliary Hospital, Harefield, 11 September 1916. Marched out to No. 3 Convalescent Depot, 3 November 1916. Transferred to No. 1 Convalescent Depot, 26 February 1917. Found guilty of being absent without leave, No. 4 Convalescent Depot, Wareham, 22-23 February 1917: awarded 24 hours' detention and forfeiture of 10 days' pay.

Transferred to 61st Draft Bn, 23 March 1917; to 55th Bn, 19 September 1917. Proceeded overseas to France, 14 October 1917; taken on strength, 55th Bn in the field, 26 October 1917.

Admitted sick to hospital (scabies), 12 March 1918; rejoined Bn, 25 March 1918. Admitted again to hospital, 20 April 1918; discharged to unit, 29 April 1918.

Admitted to 14th Canadian Field Ambulance (influenza), 14 August 1918; invalided to England, 23 August 1918. Admitted to 1st Birmingham War Hospital, Rednal, 24 August 1918; transferred to 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital, Dartford, 4 September 1918. Discharged to No. 3 Convalescent Depot, Hurdcott, 9 September 1918.

Marched in to Overseas Training Brigade, 4 December 1918. Detached to Headquarters, AIF Depots in the United Kingdom, 7 February 1919. Promoted temporary Corporal and acting Sergeant, 1 May 1919: eligible for extra 15 days' disembarkation leave. Transferred to Australian Graves Service, London, 26 April 1920.

Commenced return to Australia, 4 December 1920; disembarked Sydney, 15 February 1921. Discharged, 16 May 1921.

Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal