The AIF Project

John Powell SMITH

Regimental number1173
Place of birthHorsham, Victoria
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationFarmer
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation26
Height6' 1.25"
Weight182 lbs
Next of kinFather, Thomas Powell Smith, Wonwondah East, Victoria
Previous military serviceNil
Enlistment date2 October 1914
Place of enlistmentHorsham, Victoria
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name5th Battalion, 1st Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/22/2
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A32 Themistocles on 22 December 1914
Regimental number from Nominal Roll1150
Rank from Nominal RollSergeant
Unit from Nominal RollArmy Provost Corps
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Mention in Despatches


Awarded, and promulgated, 'London Gazette' No. 30706 (28 May 1918); 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 165 (24 October 1918).

FateReturned to Australia 28 October 1918
Discharge date3 March 1919
Other details

War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front

Embarked Alexandria to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, Gallipoli, 5 April 1915.

Wounded in action, 26 April 1915 (gun shot wound, arm); admitted to hospital ship same day; transferred to Convalescent Hill Tigne, Malta, 4 May 1915. Transferred to Egypt (date not recorded); embarked Alexandria for Gallipoli, 3 July 1915; rejoined Bn at Gallipoli, 9 July 1915.

Temporarily attached to 2nd Brigade Headquarters, 11 December 1915; rejoined Bn, 14 December 1915.

Disembarked Alexandria, 7 January 1916 (general Gallipoli evacuation).

Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 22 March 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 28 March 1916.

Promoted Corporal, 21 May 1916.

Transferred to Anzac Provost Corps, 16 September 1916, and attached to 1st Divisiion Headquarters, Belgium.

Promoted Sergeant, 5 June 1917.

On leave to United Kingdom, 18 October 1917; rejoined unit, 29 October 1917.

Detached for sduty with 4th Army Provost School of Instruction, 19 January 1918; rejoined Anzac Provost Corps, 3 February 1918.

Marched out to 3rd Infantry Brigade Headquarters for duty at Field General Court Martial, 1 June 1918.

Marched in to Australian General Base Depot, Havre, 28 May 1918, for Medical Board; transferred to England, 18 June 1918 (old injury to knee); marched in to No 2 Command Depot, Weymouth, 19 June 1918.

Commenced return to Australia on board HT 'Sardinia', 28 October 1918; disembarked Melbourne, 27 December 1918; discharged (medically unfit), 3 March 1919.

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

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