Harold Thomson Smith, born on 19 July 1896 in North Melbourne, was the second of David and Elizabeth (nee Leeming) Smith’s six children.
Harold was 5 feet 11 ½ inches, 161 pounds with hazel eyes, brown hair and had a fair complexion.
Harold was the first of his family to enlist, signing up on 22 March 1915. He was originally assigned to the 24th Battalion, then transferred to the 5th Field Company Engineers, which was renamed the 8th Field Company Engineers.
Harold was promoted to Lance Corporal on 16 August 1915 and by the end of August, his unit had completed their basic military and engineering training and were headed for Gallipoli.
A report in his Red Cross files states:
“He was digging a C.T. across No Man's Land, when he was sniped through the head, death taking place almost instantaneously.
Owing to our retirement in the early hours of July 20th, his body, which was lying near the enemy's lines, was not recovered “
Harold’s role in the battle was to dig and clear communications trenches. The War Diaries specifically note that the communication trench was well constructed and of good condition.
Harold, a warehouseman by trade, was killed in action on his 20th Birthday.
Harold’s father, David, wrote to the Army on six separate occasions between October 1916 and July 1917, even contacting the Secretary of Defence in his later letters. His frustration is clear in his letter of 6 June 1917, as other families, whose son’s fell on the same day, had received their sons’ belongings.
Harold’s name appeared on the German Death List, and his body was recovered from the battlefield. Information was provided on 2 August 1916, stated that he had fallen in the neighbourhood of Fromelles.
For more information, visit https://fromelles.info/.../509-and-4474-lance-corporal.../
Lest we forget.
