Military History

Embarked Adelaide per HMAT ‘Geelong’ A2 for Egypt 18.11.1915.
Roll Rank Private.
Roll Unit 8th Infantry Brigade, 32nd Battalion, 1st Reinf, AIF.
Smith disembarked at Suez 18.12.1915. The 8th Brigade joined the newly formed 5th Division and prepared for embarkation to the Western Front (AWM 32nd Bn). Smith joined the BEF at Alexandria and embarked for France per ‘Transylvania’ 27.6.1916. He disembarked at Marseilles 23.6.1916. The 32nd Bn fought their first major battle at Fromelles on 19.7.1917, in this confrontation they lost 75% of their strength through death or injury (AWM 32nd Bn). During this battle Smith was reported missing in action near Fromelles 20.7.1916. (His parent’s address was reported in West Australian Newspaper 13.4.1917) His ID disk was forwarded from Germany as notification of death. His name also appeared on the German death list 4.11.1916 (AWM Red Cross Files). AIF Headquarters noted Smith was KIA in France 20.7.1916. Later his death was recorded as 19.7.1916. His body was not recovered. Smith is commemorated at VC Corner Australian Cemetery and Memorial, Fromelles, Lille, Nord Pas de Calais, France.
Final Rank Private, 32ndBn. AIF.
Medical Condition Deceased, KIA.
Awards and Medals 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Notes Smith’s Mother moved to West Road, West Guildford, WA in 1921
Photos HMAT'Geelong' leaving outer harbour SA. Photographer unknown, photograph source  SLSA PRG/280/1/15/464
             Fromelles- no man's land 1916. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E0403
             Section of VC Corner, Fromelles, France- burial place of the unidentified. Photograph donated by  St Barnabas Pilgrimages, London. Photograph source AWM H12655
            A.G. Smith Missing in Action. Image source Kalgoorlie Miner 5.9.1916 p1

Information Source
AWM E0403. Fromelles- no man's land 1916. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM  H12655. Section of VC Corner, Fromelles, France- burial place of the unidentified. Photograph donated by  St Barnabas Pilgrimages, London. Photograph sourced from the pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM Embarkation Roll Arthur George Smith
AWM 32nd Bn.
AWM Roll of Honour Arthur George Smith
Guildford War Memorial
Kalgoorlie Miner
NAA: B2455, Smith A G
SLSA PRG 280 1 15 464. HMAT'Geelong' leaving outer harbour SA. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the State Library of South Australaia 
Wesley Chapel Honour Roll Fallen
Wesley Chapel Honour Roll
West Australian Newspaper




‘Bungalow’, 46 Swan Street, East Guildford, WA.

Associated Images