Military History

Smith was of small stature being 4ft 11 ½ inches in height.
Embarked Fremantle per HMAT ‘Commonwealth’ A73 for Egypt 9.11.1917.
Roll Rank Private.
Roll Unit 14th Reinf, Camel Corps.
Smith disembarked at Suez 10.12.1917. He was taken on strength at Abbassia 11.12.1917, then struck off strength and transferred to AIF HQ. 25.1.1918 and attached to the Medical Section. Smith was found drunk in town and penalized with 10 days forfeiture of pay 4.2.1918. He joined the 4th Training Bn. at Moascar 19.2.1918. Smith became sick and was admitted to hospital with Influenza 21.2.1918. He was discharged to Rest Camp 6.3.1918. On recovery, he marched out to the 4th Training Bn. at Moascar 27.3.1918. He joined the Australian Medical Corps Details 16.4.1918.
Smith marched out to the 14th General Hospital at Port Said 18.4.1918. Smith was attached to the 3rd Light Horse Field Ambulance 19.7.1918. He was hospitalised sick 1.10.1918. Smith committed several offences (AWOL, selling Government property). He was transferred to the 5th Light Horse Field Ambulance 4.6.1919. Smith became sick with a debility and was hospitalized at the 14th Australian General Hospital at Abbassia. He returned to Australia.
Embarked for Australia per HT ‘Delta’. No date given.
Returned/Disembarked Fremantle 26.8.1919.
Discharged 12.11.1919.
Final Rank Trooper, 3rd Field Ambulance AMC.
Medical Condition NK.
Notes No reason given for return, possibly associated with field punishment.
Awards and Medals British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Photos HMAT 'Commonwealth' A73 ready to depart Melbourne Wharf. Photographer Josiah Barnes photograph source AWM PB036
              Camel Corps Field Ambulance Egypt 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM H00728
             3rd Light Horse Field Ambulance Suez, Egypt 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM A00044

Information Source
AWM PB036. HMAT 'Commonwealth' A73 ready to depart Melbourne Wharf. Photographer Josiah Barnes photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM H00728. Camel Corps field Ambulance Egypt 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM A00044. 3rd Light Horse Field Ambulance Suez, Egypt 1917. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australia War Memorial
AWM Embarkation Roll William Thomas Smith
NAA: B2455, Smith William Thomas



Guildford, WA. (Address at enlistment)
Federal Café Northam, WA. (Postal address listed)

Associated Images