The AIF Project

War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front

Embarked Alexandria to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, 18 October 1915; taken on strength of 5th Bn, Lemnos, 3 November 1915.

Disembarked Alexandria, ex-Lemnos, 7 January 1916.

Transferred to 57th Bn, 17 February 1916; taken on strength of 57th Bn, Serapeum, 17 February 1916.

Transferred to 58th Bn, 15 March 1916; taken on strength of 58th Bn, Tel el Kebir, 15 March 1916.

Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, 17 June 1916; disembarked Marseilles, France, 23 June 1916.

Wounded in action, 19 July 1916.

Now, 29 July 1916, reported as 'Killed in Action, 19 July 1916'.

Buried at Rue du Bois Military Cemetery by Reverend F.P. Williams, 20 July 1916.

Statement, Red Cross File No 2570802, 3186 Pte H.L. MILES, 58th (patient, Wellingborough VAD Hospital, England), 18 October 1916: 'Informant states that after the 19th July 1916 at Fromelles "Bob" Smithers died of wounds and did not get back to the base, he was buried at Rifle Villa on the Fromelles front. Capt. Chaplain Williams probably read the service. The grave is marked with a cross of wood stained brown, with the name etc. on it. Smithers was in the same company D. and Platoon 15 as Informant, who has seen the grave and cross.'