The AIF Project

Sydney SMITH

Regimental number2083
Place of birthNew South Wales
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationLabourer
AddressUnderbank, via Dungog, New South Wales
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation19
Next of kinFriend, Samuel Remeth, Munri, via Dungog, New South Wales
Enlistment date3 November 1915
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name31st Battalion, 3rd Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/48/3
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A70 Ballarat on 18 February 1916
Rank from Nominal RollCorporal
Unit from Nominal Roll47th Battalion
FateReturned to Australia 22 July 1917
Medals

Military Medal

'For bravery and presence of mind thereby probably preventing a number of casualties if not lives. This soldier was engaged in removing a number of salved bombs from a dump near GUEUDECOURT on 16th February, 1917 in company with a party, when he heard a clock and recognising that possibly a rusted pin had given way and released the lever, rushed to the grenade heap, where there were about 5000 loose grenades and about 20 or 30 men, and shovelling some grenades away came across one with the lever up, Without hesitating he picked the grenade up and threw it way, it bursting in the air during its flight. SMITH is a consistently capable and brae soldier.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 133
Date: 21 August 1917

Other details

War service: Western Front

Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal

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