Ernest Sortain SMITH

Regimental number2/941
Date of birth30 April 1893
Place of birthWellington
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationClerk
Address13 Terrace Gardens, Wellington
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation21
Height5' 7.5"
Weight142 lbs
Next of kinMother, Mrs L E Smith, 26 Arlington Street, Wellington
Previous military serviceNil
Enlistment date30 October 1914
Place of enlistmentTrentham
Rank on embarkationGunner
Enlistment statusVolunteer
Unit nameNew Zealand Expeditionary Force, 2nd Reinforcements, New Zealand Field Artillery
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Wellington on 14 December 1914
No 1 Field Artillery Brigade left New Zealand on board 'Willochra'; No 4 Howitzer Battery on board 'Knight of the Garter'. It is not possible from the Nominal Roll to determine on which ship an individual embarked.
FateCommenced return to New Zealand 6 May 1919
Discharge date2 June 1919
Other details

War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front

Embarked Egypt to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, Gallipoli, 12 April 1915. [No further details of Gallipoli experience recorded.]

Transferred to 10th Battery, Moascar, 25 February 1916.

Admitted to NZ Auxiliary Hospital, Abbassia, 25 February 1916 (fibroma, right foot).

Promoted Bombardier, 25 February 1916.

Posted to 12th Battery, Moascar, 26 March 1916.

Embarked Alexandria to join the British Expeditionary Force, France, 7 April 1916.

Appointed Acting Corporal, 23 September 1916.

Appointed Temporary Corporal, in the field, 23 September 1916.

Promoted Corporal, 1 March 1917.

On leave to United Kingdom, 30 August 1917; rejoined unit from leave, 12 September 1917.

Appointed Temporary Sergeant, 20 October 1917.

Promoted Sergeant, 20 November 1917.

Attached to 2nd Army School, 4 November 1917; rejoined unit from attachment, 2 December 1917.

Nominated by GOC NZEF to be trained in Officer Cadet Unit for NZ Commission, 15 December 1917; joined No 2 Royal Field Aertillery Cadet Bn, Topsham Barracks, Exeter, 25 January 1918.

Promoted 2nd Lieutenant, 1 September 1918, and posted to NZ Field Artillery.

Proceeded overseas to France, 5 October 1918; posted to 4th Battery, 11 October 1918.

Admitted to No 3 NZ Field Ambulance, 11 October 1918 (herpes), and transferred to Casualty Clearing Station; to 3rd General Hospital, Le Treport, 12 October 1918; discharged to Base Depot, 1 November 1918.

Attached to NZ Base Depot, 1 November 1918; rejoined 4th Battery, 16 November 1918.

Transferred to 11th Battery, 16 November 1918.

Detached to 3rd Brigade, St Quentin, 15 December 1918; rejoined 1th Battery, 30 December 1918.

Detached to United Kingdom on duty, 28 January 1919.

Commenced return to New Zealand on board HMNZT 'Remuera', 6 May 1919; discharged, 2 June 1919.

War service: 4 years 216 days (of which 4 years 129 days were abroad)

Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Miscellaneous detailsNominal Roll Vol. 1: Field Artillery/Second. Parents: William Sortain and Louisa Elizabeth SMITH (both b. England)
SourcesFile 0106273, New Zealand Defence Force Archives, Trentham Military Camp.