| Regimental number | 29097 |
| Date of birth | |
| Place of birth | Oamaru |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Occupation | Clerk |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 27.8 |
| Height | 5' 8" |
| Weight | 160 lbs |
| Next of kin | Cousin, Mrs Minnie Ward, 32 Martin's Avenue, Christchurch |
| Previous military service | Served in Post & Telegraph Rifles; not serving in any military unit at time of NZEF enlistment. |
| Enlistment date | |
| Place of enlistment | Trentham |
| Rank on embarkation | Corporal |
| Unit name | New Zealand Expeditionary Force, New Zealand Rifle Brigade, 9th Reinforcements to 3rd Battalion, G Company |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Wellington on board HMNZT 66 Willochra on |
| Final rank | Rifleman |
| Final unit | 2nd Battalion, New Zealand Rifle Brigade |
| Fate | Killed in Action |
| Place of burial | No known grave |
| Commemoration details | Tyne Cot Memorial (New Zealand Apse, Panel No 7), Tyne Cot Cemetery, Belgium |
| Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Brother: Robert Norman Smith, 23 Patrick Street, Mornington, Dunedin |
| Medals |
Military Medal 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during the Passchendaele Offensive Operations on the 12th October 1917. After two N.C.O.'s of his platoons had been killed, he personally gathered two sections and led them forward in the attack. Up to the time he was wounded he handled these sections with skill and courage.'
Source: 'London Gazette' Date: |
| Other details |
War service: Western Front Embarked Wellington, 16 October 1916; disembarked Plymouth, England, 29 December 1916, and marched into Sling Camp, and reverted to Lance Corporal. Relinquished appointment as Lance Corporal, 12 February 1917. Proceeded overseas to France, 12 February 1917; joined 2nd Bn, NZ Rifle Brigade, in the field, 21 May 1917, and posted to A Company. Admitted to No 3 NZ Field Ambulance, 24 August 1917 (influenza); rejoined unit, 29 August 1917. Reported 'Wounded and missing, 12 October 1917'. Court of Enquiry, 27 April 1918, concluded: 'Killed in action, 12 October 1917'. Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Sources | Nominal Roll Vol. 2: Roll 43, p. 29 Archives New Zealand (Wellington), Agency AABK, Series 18805, File 7819555 |