Name: Harry Albert Smith
Where: Grisham, Victoria
Awards: 1914 - 15 Star, British War Medal 1914 - 1920, Victory Medal,
Service Details:
Biographical Details:
Before he enlisted, in Geraldton Western Australia in 1915, Harry Albert Smith had been rejected seven times – once in NSW, once in SA and five times in WA. Harry had been rejected on medical grounds because he had a glass eye. Presumably his pre-war services in Citizens Forces, and his persistence, were the telling factors. He was eventually enlisted with the 3rd Reinforcement of the 28th Battalion and after some training at Blackboy Hill and Egypt he joined the Battalion at Gallipoli.
Harry was born in Horsham, Victoria, in 1890, to Charles Edward and Agnes Anne Smith. He had two brothers and four sisters. One of his brothers, Arthur, also served during World War 1.
Before enlisting Harry was an apprentice fitter with the railways in Geraldton.
On the Trench Raid Harry was part of the five-member, right blocking party under Sgt Roy Brown.
Soon after returning to France from the London special leave, Harry received a Gun Shot wound to his chest. There is no information in his records about how he received this wound. The Battalion Diary shows that on the 23rd June the Battalion was in billets so he was probably part of a work party. Harry died seven days later and was buried at Bailleul Communal Cemetery.
Prior to disembarking at Gallipoli Harry had made out a will in favour of his mother. The following, sent to his family, were the only personal items he carried:
2 wallets, pocket-book, photos, cards, 9 coins, 1pr. Mittens, 1 Scarf.
On the first anniversary of Harry’s death the following notice appeared in the Geraldton Guardian:
SMITH. – In sad and loving memory
Of Private Harry A Smith, 28th
Batt, aged 26 years, who died of
Wounds in Franceon June 30th,
1916.
“Though death divides, fond memory clings.”
Harry’s service medals, the Memorial Scroll and Memorial Plaque were presented to his father.