Military History

Smith was sent to NCO School 1.4.1916. Appointed A/Sgt of 43rd Bn. 4th Reinf.
Embarked Fremantle per ‘Port Melbourne’ A 16 for UK 30.10.1916.
Roll Rank Private.
Roll Unit 43rd Battalion, 4th Reinf.
Smith disembarked Devonport 28.12.1916. He marched in to the 11th Training Bn. at Durrington and reverted to rank 29.12.1916. He was promoted to Cpl. Sub. 24.1.1917, appointed Acting/Sgt 9.3.1917 and EDR Sgt. 11th Training Bn. Durrington. Smith attended a 21 day course in Elementary Physical Training and Bayonet Fighting at Aldershot 17.1.1917. On completion of these courses, he proceeded overseas to France via Folkestone with 43rd Bn. 2.10.1917 as Cpl. Smith was hospitalised with a debility 29.11.1917. Smith rejoined his unit 1.12.1918. The 43rd Bn. spent much of Spring 1918 in trench warfare on the Somme, they also fought against the German Spring offensive at Villers-Bretonneux in April 1918. Smith was wounded in action at Villers-Bretonneux in the Paschedaele area, with GSWs to his right arm, leg and severe wounds to his abdomen 12.4.1918. He was taken to the 5th then 12th Casualty Clearing Stations, he was stabilized at the 1st Australian General Hospital then invalided to England per HS ‘Grantilly Castle’ 28.5.1918. Smith was admitted to King George Hospital, Stamford Rd. London 30.5.1918. (Reported in West Australian Newspaper 10.5.1918) He was transferred to Harefield Hospital London. Smith was discharged and marched out to the No. 2 Command Depot at Weymouth, where he was listed for return to Australia.
Embarked for Australia per ‘Nestor’ 12.12.1918.
Returned/Disembarked Fremantle 19.1.1919.
Discharged 20.9.1919.
Final Rank Cpl., 43rd Bn. AIF.
Medical Condition Invalided with GSW to arm.
Awards and Medals British War Medal, Victory Medal
Notes Smith maintained a life long interest in sailing. He was actively involved in the acquisition of land at Kean Point for the Freshwater Bay Yacht Club, was Commodore from 1932-35, 1940-42 and Pice Patron in 1936. His significant rol in this Club has been recognised in a recently written history.
Photos HMAT 'Port Melbourne'. Photographer Josiah Barnes. Photograph sourced from AWM B0259
             Australian Troops in trenches near Villers-Bretonneux May 1918. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E04828
             Wards at the No.1 General Hospital, Harefield, London 1918. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM H03592
             R.C. Smith. Image source casualty list No. 328. Kalgoorlie Miner 10.5.1918 p1

Information Source
AWM B0259. HMAT 'Port Melbourne'. Photographer Josiah Barnes. Photograph sourced from  the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM E04828. Australian Troops in trenches near Villers-Bretonneux May 1918. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM H03592. Wards at the No.1 General Hospital, Harefield, London 1918. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM Embarkation Rolls Ronald Clausen Smith
Guildford Grammar School Honour Roll
Kalgoorlie Miner 10.5.1918 p1. R.C. Smith. Image sourced from the Casualty List No. 328.
NAA: B2455, Smith R C
West Australian Newspaper


Rosendo Street, Cottesloe, WA.

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