FAMILY LIFE

Ernest Smith was born c1883 in Lincolnshire, England, son of James William Smith & Sarah Ann Smith. It appears that his parents were separated as his father lived at Stokers Siding, and his mother in Gordon St, Milton, Qld.

APPLICATION

He was single farmer, eager to do his bit. He travelled to Brisbane on 2es October1916 to complete his application which showed his next of kin originally as his mother, Sara, of Milton but this was crossed our and his father, William, of Stokers Siding added.

His medical showed he was 33 years 2 months old, 5ft 6 ½ inches tall (1.69m), weighed 140 lbs (63kgs), with a fresh complexion, blue eyes & auburn hair. His eyesight was good but he required dental treatment

The Examining Medical Officer stated that Ernest “can see the required distance with either eye; his heart and lungs are healthy; he has the free use of his joints; and he declares he is not subject to fits of any description. I consider him fit for active service.”  On the second page of the Attestation Paper, he made the following oath in the presence of the Attesting Officer: “I, Ernest Smith, swear that I will well and truly serve our Sovereign Lord the King in the Australian Imperial Force until the end of the War … SO HELP ME, GOD.” 

He was Church of England and had a scar on his right & left knee, another just below his right knee & 3 vaccination scars on his right arm.  He was enlisted as a private into the 47th Battalion, 9th Reinforcement with service No 3497

47TH INFANTRY BATTALION

The 47th Infantry Battalion was an Australian Army unit with a distinguished history during both World Wars. It was initially raised in February 1916 in Egypt as part of the expansion of the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) following the Gallipoli campaign. It became part of the 12th Brigade, 4th Division. The 47th Infantry Battalion is remembered for its bravery and resilience.

RIFLE RANGE TRAINING CAMP ENOGGERA

As was the case with men from the Northern Rivers district in New South Wales, they trained at Rifle Range Camp, Enoggera near Brisbane. The Barracks Block was built as accommodation for men in two dormitories, each 36 feet by 22 feet (10.97 x 6.7 metres). Beds or bunks were not provided, instead each man slept on a palliasse with ground sheet on the floor. For many it was their first time away from home. Men from every walk of life, from clerks and teachers to factory and shop workers, were crammed together

Now training for the new recruits began. Firstly, the men received their vaccinations for smallpox, rabies & plague, Martin received his on 1^st March, 8^th March & 27^th March. Then a recruit had to be inducted into military forms of discipline, command, and order. This was partially achieved through a program of basic training carried and, in a sense, was maintained for a long as a man was in the service. It involved marching and drilling with the rifle, cleaning and caring for personal equipment and being supervised and inspected in ways quite different to ordinary civilian life. For example, no boots should be allowed to get in a bad state of wear but must be sent to the bootmaker without delay for repair. Men who were found with hair long and unshaven had to have a haircut and shave

Secondly, after basic training there followed the far more serious exercise of turning a man into a fighting soldier at least partially prepared for the kind of warfare he was about to experience overseas. The topics and exercises in the syllabus of training were a world away from their former lives and included daily physical training, entrenching, wiring, firing rifle grenades, firing the Lewis light machine gun, dealing with gas attack, using hand grenades, using the bayonet, and the routines to be followed in the trenches.

This training was then put into practice during what were called ‘Field Days,’ when men would practice using the skills they had acquired in mock attacks both by day and by night. How well men had learnt to use their weapons, in cooperation with each other in training, would be tested in the harsh reality of the front line. Training would take several months

VOYAGE OVERSEAS

His unit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A33 Ayrshire on 24 January 1917. The epic voyage across the ocean has been described as “the longest journey to war in the history of the world.” They thought it was the start of a new adventure- for many it was their first time so far away from home. However, after some time at sea the biggest problem turned out to be boredom. On-board, Officers organised rigorous training drills and exercise sessions for the men. They were expected to do their own washing, sweep the decks and carry out other chores

Attempts at breaking up the boredom, apart from the regular drill, varied. Shipboard activities included regular church parades and concerts. Troops engaged in lifebelt drill; a cookhouse on deck; soldiers on fatigues peeling potatoes 'spud bashing'; going to the dentist; barber, pay day; soldiers cleaning personal equipment; medical inspection. Sports and recreation included boxing, deck quoits, draughts. Also, the commanding officer's morning inspection; kit inspections; submarine drill; recreation such as the on deck 'open air' library, deck billiards, pillow fighting and card games including Nap. As well, conditions on the ships were cramped and the risk of illness was constant. 

Three hearty meals a day were served; breakfast usually consisted of porridge, stew, and tea. Lunch included soup, meat, vegetables, and pudding. Meat, bread with jam and tea was served for dinner. Many of the troops experienced bouts of seasickness on the voyage. The crossing the Equator ceremony, ‘Neptune’s Journey,’ was played-out on each troopship

CODFORD TRAINING CAMP

They disembarked at Devonport on 13^th April 1917 and were marched into the English training camp at Codford. They had already completed their basic training in Australia but over many more tough months, in the camp, the volunteers left their old lives farther behind. They began their training with physical fitness exercises, they were taught individual and unit discipline, how to follow commands, how to march, some basic field skills and how to safely handle his weapons.  Later, as soldiers specialised in a particular area (for example, machine gunner or signaller) they would be trained in specific skills and would take part in practice manoeuvres and sham fights. They would spend many hours learning training in the use of bayonets, anti- gas training and guard duty along with lectures on camouflage or trench warfare and much more

TAKEN ON STRENGTH 69^TH BTN

On 14^th July 1917 he was taken on strength with the 69^th Battalion & transferred to their training camp at Hurdcott.

TRANSFERRED TO 47^TH BATTALION

On 27^th August he was transferred back to the 47^th & returned to Codford

FRANCE 42^ND BATTALION JANUARY 1918

Ernest proceeded to France and was taken on strength with the 42^nd Battalion

42^nd BATTALION

Between January and May 1918, the 42nd Battalion of the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) was actively engaged on the Western Front, primarily in Belgium and northern France, as part of the 11th Brigade, 3rd Division. This period was marked by a transition from routine trench duties to intense defensive operations in response to the German Spring Offensive.

JANUARY–FEBRUARY 1918: ROUTINE TRENCH DUTIES IN BELGIUM

At the start of 1918, the 42nd Battalion was stationed in the Messines sector in Belgium. Their activities during this time included holding front-line trenches under harsh winter conditions, conducting patrols, and maintaining vigilance against enemy movements & rotating between front-line positions and rear areas for rest and training.

MARCH 1918: REDEPLOYMENT TO COUNTER THE GERMAN SPRING OFFENSIVE

In late March, the German Army launched a major offensive, known as the Spring Offensive, aiming to break through Allied lines before American forces could fully deploy. In response, the 42nd Battalion was rapidly redeployed south to the Somme region in France, specifically to areas near Villers-Bretonneux and Vaux. Their tasks included establishing defensive positions to halt the German advance, engaging in skirmishes and artillery duels with attacking forces & reinforcing vulnerable sectors of the front line

APRIL 1918: INTENSE DEFENSIVE OPERATIONS

April saw the 42nd Battalion deeply involved in the defence of key positions holding lines near Villers-Bretonneux, a strategic town targeted by German forces. They endured heavy artillery bombardments and infantry assaults & participated in counter-attacks to reclaim lost ground. The battalion's resilience during this period was crucial in preventing a German breakthrough towards Amiens, a vital logistical hub for the Allies.

MAY 1918: CONSOLIDATION AND PREPARATION

Following the intense battles of April, May was a period of reorganization and integration of reinforcements to replace casualties, strengthening defensive positions and improving trench systems & conducting training exercises to prepare for future offensives.

HOSPITALISATION SCABIES MAY 1918

Ernest was in hospital for 7 days from 1th May, with scabies. Scabies is a very itchy skin condition caused by a tiny mite (bug) Scabies is very contagious and spreads quickly. Scabies causes intense itching, threadlike tracks on your skin and sometimes a rash. The rash looks like tiny red lumps and is caused by an allergic reaction to the mite. The treatment of scabies was on the first day the patient was thoroughly rubbed with soft soap for fifteen minutes. He then entered a warm bath where he lay for twenty minutes; during the last five minutes the infected sites were gently scrubbed with a soft brush. This procedure was designed to open the burrows and expose the acari and ova. Steam or shower baths could not accomplish this satisfactorily and were therefore unsuitable. After drying, a liberal quantity of sulphur ointment was rubbed over the whole body below the neck, special attention being paid to the hands, feet, and penis. This inunction was repeated on the second and third days. On the fourth day, but not before, the patient was given a second bath and supplied with clean clothing and bedding. Such articles as socks, wrist straps, gloves, and the string of identification discs also required disinfection.

VILLERS-BRETONNEUX MAY 1918

On 26 May 1918, the 42nd was stationed near Villers-Bretonneux in northern France, engaged in defensive operations following the German Spring Offensive. During this period, the battalion was involved in holding and strengthening front-line positions, conducting patrols, and preparing for potential enemy actions

WOUNDED IN ACTION GASSED 26^TH MAY 1918

Ernest was wounded in action on 26^th May 1918- gassed. During World War I, the treatment of soldiers exposed to poison gas was a challenging and evolving process. Medical personnel had to adapt quickly to the devastating effects of chemical warfare, which included respiratory damage, blindness, and severe burns. Gassed soldiers were treated in various ways

·      Immediate Care: Soldiers were often moved to fresh air as quickly as possible to minimize further exposure. Masks soaked in neutralizing agents, such as bicarbonate of soda, were sometimes used to help alleviate symptoms.

·      Decontamination: Clothing contaminated with gas was removed, and the skin was washed to prevent further chemical burns.

·      Respiratory Support: For those suffering from respiratory distress, oxygen therapy was provided when available. In severe cases, soldiers were given morphine to ease pain.

·      Eye Treatment: Soldiers with eye injuries from gas exposure were treated with saline or other solutions to flush out irritants.

·      Hospitalization: Many gassed soldiers required extended care in field hospitals or specialized facilities. Recovery could be slow, and some soldiers suffered long-term health effects.

Ernest rejoined his unit many months later, on 13^th September 1918.

BATTLE OF ST QUENTIN CANAL 29 SEPTEMBER – 2 OCTOBER 1918

The battalion's final engagement occurred during the Battle of St Quentin Canal between 29 September and 2 October 1918. This battle was a critical component of the Allied efforts to breach the Hindenburg Line. The 42nd Battalion played a significant role in this operation, demonstrating determination and resilience in the face of formidable German defences

TRANSFER BACK TO 41^ST BATTALION

On 23^rd October Ernest was transferred back to the 41^st Battalion.

GETTING HOME

The end of the war was in sight and on 11^th November the fighting was officially over so he prepared to return to Australia. After the Armistice, the Australian Prime Minister Billy Hughes insisted Australian troops be repatriated (returned home) as quickly as possible. This logistical challenge was enormous with 135,000 troops brought home from Britain in 147 voyages, and 16,773 troops from the Middle East in 56 voyages, mostly on a first come, first go basis. There was a lack of suitable ships to transport personnel home and many had to wait many months before they were headed back to Australia.

GRANTED LEAVE

Ernest was granted leave in England from 23^rd December 1918 to 8^th January 1919

REJOINED UNIT IN FRANCE

After the Armistice on 11 November 1918, Australian soldiers—including those of the 42nd Battalion and others in France—did not immediately return home. Instead, they remained in France and Belgium for weeks or even months performing a wide range of duties. These duties included

·      Many soldiers helped repair roads, railways, and bridges damaged during the war.

·      They cleared battlefields of debris, barbed wire, and unexploded ordnance.

·       Some worked on reinterring bodies in formal war cemeteries under the Imperial War Graves Commission.

·      Units still followed military discipline: parades, inspections, drills.

·      Continued training exercises, including physical training and military education.

·      Participated in victory parades and ceremonies.

ENGLAND AFTER WAR ENDED APRIL 1919

On 24^th April 1919 Ernest was sent to Depot HQ in England. There was plenty of work for soldiers to do after the war had ended. After WWI, Depot HQs shifted from training and deployment centres to processing, medical, administrative, and demobilisation hubs, ensuring a smooth return to civilian life for thousands of Australian soldiers. Their role was vital in transitioning from war to peace and laying the groundwork for veterans' support in the 1920s

Depot HQ coordinated the gradual disbandment of wartime units and repatriation, and medical processing. Depot HQs acted as intermediaries with the newly formed Repatriation Department, helping veterans receive war pensions, land settlement schemes (soldier settlement) & vocational training and employment assistance

They finalised service records, war gratuities (final pay, bonuses), honours and awards processing. Depot HQs often became custodians of battalion/unit colours and memorabilia until official regimental histories or memorials were established.

With the end of hostilities, recruitment and training functions were phased out. Some Depot HQs remained operational into the early 1920s to manage the transition to peacetime defence structures (e.g. Citizen Military Forces) & storage and disposal of war materiel

GOING HOME

Ernest finally left for home on the Themistocles on 12^th June 1919.

MEDICAL REPORT ON INVALID AUGUST 1919

On 12^th August 1919 a report was made regarding Ernest being gassed. It was stated he had chronic bronchitis & asthma due to being gassed and since that day he has had a cough with expectoration (expectoration is the medical term for the act of coughing up and spitting out mucus, phlegm, or other material from the respiratory tract) and slight attacks of Dyspnoea (shortness of breath or difficulty breathing) early in the morning which disappears when he gets up. His condition & progress is stated as “fairly well.” The disability is stated as not permanent and 100% improvement is expected in the next 12 months. The Board recommended he be discharged as permanently unfit for General Service. He was discharged on 28^th August 1919

FOR HIS SERVICE

For his service, John was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, and the Victory Medal and his name is recorded on the Utungun Taylors Arm WW1 Honor Roll

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