Laurence Edward SMITH

Regimental number10/609
Date of birth13 January 1894
Place of birthNew Plymouth
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationCycle mechanic
Addressc/o J Smith, Buller Street, New Plymouth
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation20.7
Height5' 8"
Weight142 lbs
Next of kinL W Smith, Buller Street, New Plymouth
Previous military serviceTerritorials (11th Regiment (Taranaki Rifles) since 1911) and Cadets
Enlistment date18 August 1914
Place of enlistmentNew Plymouth
Rank on embarkationPrivate
Enlistment statusVolunteer
Unit nameNew Zealand Expeditionary Force, Main Body, Wellington Infantry Battalion
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Wellington on board HMNZT 10 Arawa on 16 October 1914
Final rankPrivate
Final unit11th Taranaki Company, 1st Battalion, Wellington Infantry Regiment
Other detailsAlso enlisted in NZ Army during WWII and served at home between December 1941 and January 1944.
FateCommenced return to New Zealand 16 May 1919
Other details

War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front

Embarked Alexandria with unit to join the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force (Gallipoli Campaign), 12 April 1915.

Admitted to HS 'Rewa', date not stated (sprained ankle); transferred to NZ General Hospital, Abbassia, 6 August 1915; marched into New Zealand & Australia Base Depot, Mustapha, 25 September 1915.

Proceeded overseas to the Dardanelles, 27 September 1915; rejoined unit, Mudros, 2 October 1915.

Disembarked Alexadria, 8 November 1915.

Admitted to NZ General Hospital, Abbassia, 28 December 1915 (eye trouble); discharged to Base Details, Zeitoun, 4 January 1916.

Embarked with unit to join the British Expeditionary Force, 6 April 1916.

With unit, 3 August 1917.

On leave to England, 12 October 1917; rejoined unit, 26 October 1917.

With Headquarters Company, 2 February 1918.

On leave to Paris, 18 January 1918; rejoined unit, 28 January 1918.

On leave to United Kingdom, 27 September 1918; married to Ivy Ellen Upton, St Dunston's Church, 29 September 1918; rejoined unit, 14 October 1918.

Placed on two months' furlough in United Kingdom, 10 December 1918; marched into Wellington Provincial Depot, Sling Camp, 3 March 1919.

Mrached into Discharge Depot, Torquay, 21 March 1919.

Commenced return to New Zealand from London on board HMT 'Prinz Essin', 16 May 1919; disembarked New Zealand, 30 June 1919; discharged (termination of period of engagement), 28 July 1919.

Total war service: 4 years 345 days (of which 4 years 258 days were abroad).

Medals: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal
Miscellaneous detailsNominal Roll Vol. 1: Wellington Infantry Batln/Main Body
SourcesArchives New Zealand (Wellington), Agency AABK, Series 18805, File 24268954
Archives New Zealand (Wellington), Agency AABK, Series 18805, File 24063548
Archives New Zealand (Wellington), Agency AABK, Series 18805, File 24268955