Number Private 3239

Battalion 57th Battalion

Place of Birth Leongatha

Next of Kin His wife Maud Lucy Smith of 84 Westbourne St
Brunswick. He had 3 daughters, Maud, Jean and Bernice.
His parents were John and Elizabeth Smith

Date and place of enlistment 21/11/1916

Physical details on enlistment Age 27 years 7 months,
6'1" 156 pounds, grey eyes and brown hair

Religion Presbyterian

Occupation farmer

Date and place of death

He was killed in action on 26/9/1917

His unit was preparing for an attack on Polygon Wood and were in the rear trenches at Glencourt Wood and the German artillery sent over a barrage that killed several men including Pte. Smith.

Location of grave or memorial

The remains of the men were buried together and a rifle and helmet marked the position of the grave. He has no known grave and is remembered on the Menin Gate Belgium

Relationship to Woorayl Shire

He was from the Koorooman East area. He attended Koorooman State School and Scotch College.

Military History

He is on the Koorooman East Honour Roll
21/11/16 He enlisted
16/12/16 He embarked Melbourne on HMAT Media
18/2/17 He disembarked Plymouth
He was in the 15th Training Battalion
14/5/17 He went to France via Folkestone
15/5/17 He was at Etaples
28/5/17 He marched out to the 57th Battalion
26/9/17 He was killed in action
A report on the death of Robert Smith by Lt J Moore of Leongatha Victoria. He was about 30 yards away from me, we were preparing for an attack on Polygon Wood working in the trench at the rear of Glencourt Wood. The Germans guessing our intensions put up a heavy artillery barrage, one of the shells landed in the trench where Smith and 8 others were working. All these men were killed instantly and their remains were all buried together in the same grave. A rifle and helmet marked the position of the grave.
His wife Maud was granted a pension of 40/- per fortnight from 20/12/17. Maud daughter received 20/- per fortnight, Jean Smith daughter received 15/- per fortnight and Bernice Smith daughter 10/-
He left his estate to Maud
His will was signed by Harry Sharpe and Herbert Hale both of the 57th Battalion. The will was dated 9th June 1917
28/11/22 Maud received his memorial scroll
Maud also received all his medals