| Regimental number | 1870 |
| Place of birth | Durban, South Africa |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Occupation | Cook |
| Address | 110 King Street, Sydenham, Christchurch, New Zealand |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 35.7 |
| Height | 5' 7" |
| Weight | 175 lbs |
| Next of kin | Sister, Mrs L Davis, 110 King Street, Sydenham, Christchurch, New Zealand |
| Previous military service | Nil |
| Enlistment date | |
| Place of enlistment | Claremont, Tasmania |
| Rank on enlistment | Private |
| Unit name | 12th Battalion, 4th Reinforcement |
| AWM Embarkation Roll number | 23/29/2 |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Fremantle, Western Australia, on board HMAT A8 Argyllshire on |
| Rank from Nominal Roll | Private |
| Unit from Nominal Roll | 1st Cyclists Battalion |
| Fate | Returned to Australia |
| Discharge date | |
| Other details |
War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front Wounded in action, Gallipoli, 7 August 1915 (right shoulder and hand). Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 2 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, 8 June 1916. Transferred to 1st Anzac Cyclists Bn, 9 July 1916. Commenced return to Australia from Devonport on board HT 'Castalia', 13 April 1919; discharged (termination of period of enlistment), Hobart, 14 August 1919. Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal In August 1916 the New Zealand authorities wrote to Base Records Melbourne, that Smith was in fact 6/1250 Pte William Henry Thompson BROWN, who had embarked from Wellington with the Second Reinforcements on the Canterbury Infantry Bn, NZEF, and had deserted in Hobart where he enlisted in the AIF. Major J. Lean, the head of Base Records, wrote to the Adjutant General, 26 August 1916: 'In view of the fact that this soldier has rendered the service for which he enlisted, although not with the Force he is stated to have originally joined, it is suggested that the New Zealand Military Authorities be requested to take no further action in the matter. This practice obtains in the Royal Australian Navy where, if a man deserts and is subsequently found to be serving with the Expeditionary Forces, he is granted a clearance from his obligations in respect of the Naval services. Similar action on the part of the New Zealand Authorities would be an act of grace to the soldier concerned who has done his duty.' |
| Sources | NAA: B2455, SMITH William
Archives New Zealand (Wellington), Agency AABK, Series 18805, File 21890779 |
Postal Address:
Po Box 7916
Canberra BC 2610, Australia
Street Address:
Northcott Drive,
Campbell, ACT 2600
