William Smith

William Smith was born on 14 September 1894, to William and Margaret nee Blake.  The Smith well family was well known in the area and gave the name to Smithfield.  His mother was also from another well-known farming family whose name was given to Blakeview. 

William was 20 years 10 months when he signed up on 2 August 1915 and he was a farmer.  He was underage when he enlisted and required permission from his parents to join.  A hand written note in his records from his mother gives her consent. He had been serving in the 23^rd Light Horse in South Australia for three years. 

He was designated as a driver and placed in the 18^th Battery, 6^th Artillery Field Brigade.  He embarked from Melbourne, Victoria on the A59 “Botanist” on 24 November 1915.  He disembarked in Suez on four days before Christmas and served in Egypt until he was sent to Europe in March 1916.  Later, in 1916, they were transferred to the Western Front, where they took part in the fighting in the trenches until the end of the war.[3]

During their time on the Western Front, the 6th Brigade was involved in a number of major battles including the Battle of Pozieres, the Battle of Mouquet Farm, and the Battle of Bullecourt. They were also involved in beating back the tide of the German Spring Offensive in 1918 before taking part in the final campaign of the war as part of the Hundred Days Offensive.

He was appointed Acting Bombardier on 31 December 1918.

He returned to Australia on the Kaisar I Hind on 6/5/1919 .This is a Hindi name and means Empress of India.  From 1916 to 1921 the Kaisar I Hind made a number of voyages from London to Sydney, although these were interrupted as she was requisitioned by the Royal Navy to be used as a transport ship during World War 1.  During this time she carried British, French and Indian troops operating services to and from the Middle East, India and other areas.

William, during his service never reported sick or injured.  A decoration was confirmed on him by His Majesty The King of Roumania.   It was “Croix-de Virtute Militara- 2^nd Class.  This was printed in the Second Supplement to the London Gazette dated 20/9/1919 relating to the conspicuous services rendered by William. 

William was also awarded the Medal for Military Bravery 2nd Class.  The recommendations states that “he has done excellent work and has exhibited great willingness and devotion to duty. On the 7^th August 1918, when packing ammunition to a forward position in Villiers Bretoneux  he displayed great pluck and determination throughout the night under constant hostile artillery and machine gun fire. His coolness and disregard for danger being very noticeable. On the night of October 8^th 1918 at Ramincourt  when taking up ammunition to the guns, the column came under severe hostile bombing, causing casualties and confusion. This N.C.O showed great coolness and courage and rendered material assistance to the Officer in charge of restoring the position.  At St Souplet on October 17^th, 1918 he showed great energy and determination in getting his fun forward under heavy hostile fire in a fog when his battery had to advance during a barrage.  His high minded sense of duty and bravery has been very praiseworthy”.

He also received the British War Medal, the Victory Medal and Star.

He returned to the family farm at Smithfield.  On 16 July 1921 he married Laura Irene Ball at Christ Church, North Adelaide.   They were both 26 years old.  They had two children, Betty 3 September 1923 at Gawler and William Gordon on 3 June 1926.