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 He then signed a declaration confirming he had answered the questions correctly and was willing to voluntarily agree to service in the Military Forces of the Commonwealth of Australia

out, and his father, William, of Stokers Siding added.

 

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CERTIFICATE OF ATTESTING OFFICER

On the second page of the attestation documents the attesting confirms the following; “The foregoing questions were read to the person enlisted in my presence. I have taken care that he understood each question, and his answer to each question has been duly entered as replied to by him”

OATH

He also 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, and a further four months thereafter unless sooner lawfully discharged, dismissed or removed therefrom: and that I will resist His Majesty’s enemies and case His Majesty’s peace to be kept and maintained; and I will in all matters appertaining to my services faithfully discharge my duty according to law

SO, HELP ME, GOD.” 

MEDICAL EXAMINATION

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. Ernest 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.  

CERTIFICATE OF MEDICAL EXAMINER

The medical examiner certifies I have examined the abovenamed person, and find that he does not present any of the following conditions, viz: -

Scrofula; phthisis; syphilis; impaired constitution; defective intelligence; defects of vision, voice, or hearing; hernia’ haemorrhoids; varicose veins, beyond a limited extent; marked varicocele with unusually pendent testicle; inveterate cutaneous disease’ chronic ulcers; traces of corporal punishment or evidence of having been marked with the letters D. or B.C; contracted or deformed chest; abnormal curvature of spine; or any other disease or physical defect calculated to unfit him for the duties of a soldier.

He can see the required distance with either eye; his heart and lungs are healthy; he has the free use of his joints and limbs; and he declares he is not subject to fits of any description. I consider him fit for active service

CERTIFICATE OF COMMANDING OFFICER

This is completed during the recruits training. Ernest was in Enoggera training camp when this was completed on 19^th January 1917. The commanding officer certifies that this attestation of the abovenamed person is correct, and that the required forms have been complied with. He then states “I accordingly approve, and appoint him 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

THE UNIFORM

The recruits were issued with their uniform- service dress jacket was made of Australian wool and its loose fit gave the wearer more allowance for movement. The four large pockets were very useful. A unique feature designed for comfort was the pleated back, which provided a double thickness of cloth down the back that the pack rubbed against. Breeches were corduroy worn with wool wrap puttees. The famous khaki felt slouch hat or early service cap is probably the most distinctive part of the uniform. turned up on the left and featuring a plain khaki band, chinstrap and “rising sun” badge.

SOLDIER’S KIT

Australia's World War I soldiers went to war weighed down by almost 30 kilograms of clothes, weapons, tools and kit.

·      Breeches: made from khaki woollen cord fabric, with side pockets and button flies. Soldiers were issued with two pairs of breeches, plus a pair of dungarees. The breeches ended above the ankles and the gap was filled with puttees.

·      Braces: worn with breeches.

·      Puttees: The men wound these strips of woollen cloth, almost three metres long, upwards from the ankle to just below the knee. Soldiers disliked the puttees, probably with good reason: the tight binding restricted circulation and might even have contributed to the high incidence of trench foot. Mounted troops wore leather leggings.

·      Shirt: Soldiers were given two grey, collarless, flannel shirt, plus a military shirt.

·      Ankle boots: brown and lace-up.

·      Socks: Made from wool or cotton. Soldiers were issued with three pairs.

·      Greatcoat: the khaki woollen coat (which weighed about 3kg) often doubled as a soldier's bedding and was his chief protection against the cold and wet. The coat came into its own when snow hit Gallipoli in November 1915 and also on the Western Front.

·      Jersey

·      Singlets: Soldiers were issued with 2 woollen singlets.

·      Cotton "drawers" (underpants): Soldiers were issued with two pairs.

·      Abdominal belts: a sort of cummerbund that was issued to keep soldiers warm and supposedly ward off disease.

·      Backpacks and webbing: The main backpack was a rectangular sack measuring about 15 inches x 13 inches, closed at the top by a folding cover secured by two straps. The webbing included a web belt, cartridge pouches, small haversack, bayonet frog, an entrenching tool holder (plus another holder for its handle), and a water-bottle holder.

·      Identity disc: Soldiers were initially issued with one medal "dog tag" on a cord, but later in the war they were given two tags, made of compressed fibre.

·      Soldiers were also issued with a "housewife" - a sewing kit containing such items as needles, thimble, thread, wool and button so they could carry out running repairs.

·      Also in their kit were a short-magazine Lee-Enfield (SMLE) rifle, a rifle sling, a bayonet and scabbard, and an "entrenching tool" (they were "diggers" after all). This came in two parts, with the helve (handle) separate from the spade part.

·      Soldiers were issued with eating equipment (knife, fork, spoon, an enamel mug, water bottle (with two-point capacity), and a mess tin with carrier.

·      They also had a clasp knife (with marlin spike, tin-opener and lanyard), razor, shaving kit, soap, comb, two towels, field dressing (carried in the tunic's inside pocket), and a hold-all, in which they could pack their private possessions.

·      No item was probably looked after more carefully than their service pay book: privates were paid six shillings a day

VOYAGE OVERSEAS SYDNEY TO ENGLAND JANUARY 1917

His unit caught the troop train in Brisbane on 22^nd January and embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A33 Ayrshire on 24 January 1917. Alongside his comrades, he marched aboard, his boots ringing on the gangway. As the ship’s lines were cast off and the quay began to slip away, the reality of war lay ahead, but for now, the sea breeze carried only the sound of voices and the excitement of men bound for adventure, duty, and the unknown.

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 the voyage, due to overcrowding, training was limited to mainly to lectures and a little physical training.

SLEEPING & LIVING ARRANGEMENTS

Recruits likely slept in a crowded troop deck below, where rows of hammocks or three-tier wooden bunks were crammed close together.

Air below decks could be stuffy, especially in warmer climates, and seasickness was common during the first few days.

DAILY ROUTINE

Reveille early each morning, followed by physical exercises on the open decks (weather permitting). There were parades and inspections—officers ensured uniforms, rifles, and kit were clean and in order. Training was a little problematic—drill without much space, rifle maintenance, lectures on military discipline, signalling, and trench warfare theory. The ship’s decks were used for marching in tight circles or practising bayonet thrusts into stuffed sacks. Rifle shooting was impossible at sea, so soldiers learned to strip and clean their weapons until it was second nature.

MEALS

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. The meals were served in shifts from the ship’s galley. Queues were long, and eating on a rolling ship meant many tried to eat quickly before nausea set in.

HEALTH & SANITATION

Shipboard hygiene was critical—every man was ordered to scrub his section daily to prevent disease. Saltwater baths were the norm, with freshwater rationed for drinking.

THE VOYAGE EXPERIENCE

Entertainment included church drill, concerts, singalongs, card games, and makeshift cricket matches on deck when the weather allowed. In an attempt to keep up morale, an area of the ship was roped off where regular boxing and wrestling tournaments were held. This became commonly known as the Stoush Stadium. No letters could be sent until they reached port, but men often wrote diaries or unsent letters to be posted later.

The 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

CROSSING THE EQUATOR CEREMONY

The crossing the Equator ceremony, ‘Neptune’s Journey,’ was played-out on each troopship.

SIGHTS AT SEA

On the way to Egypt, where the ship would refuel & take on supplies, the ship would pass through the Great Australian Bight, cross the Indian Ocean, and stop at Colombo (Ceylon now Sri Lanka) for coal and supplies.

SECURITY

By late 1914, German raiders were active, so lifeboat drills were frequent, and lookouts kept watch for suspicious ships. Troopships generally sailed in convoys or at least took zig-zag courses to make torpedo attacks harder. Ships often travelled under blackout conditions at night, with lookouts specifically watching for periscopes or torpedo wakes. The danger was greatest in the Western Approaches near Britain, where U-boats patrolled choke points like the English Channel and Irish Sea.

EGYPT

After several weeks at sea, the men finally saw the dusty shoreline of Port Said or Alexandria. They could only wonder at the sights and sounds they could see as they watched the ship being refuelled and goods taken on board

ENGLAND

About a fortnight later the men finally saw the green shoreline of England. The reality of leaving home truly sank in. The recruits would soon exchange the ship’s cramped decks for the training grounds of England, preparing for what lay ahead.

CODFORD TRAINING CAMP APRIL 1917

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.

Life in camp was austere and relentless. The recruits lived in wooden huts that offered little protection from the English weather, and the damp cold of the Plain came as a shock to men who had trained in Australia and/or Egypt. Days began early, often before dawn, with physical training designed to build endurance and toughness. Long route marches across the open downs were a regular feature, men carrying full packs, rifles, ammunition, and equipment as they were conditioned for the demands of trench warfare.

Training was systematic and increasingly realistic. The men would have spent many hours on the parade ground mastering drill, weapon handling, and unit manoeuvres, but the focus soon shifted to battlefield skills. The battalion practised trench warfare techniques, including entering and clearing enemy trenches, bombing drills with Mills grenades, bayonet fighting, and the rapid consolidation of captured positions. Specially constructed practice trenches on Salisbury Plain allowed officers and NCOs to rehearse attacks down to the smallest detail, ensuring that every man understood his role once the battalion went into action.

Musketry training was constant. The men would have fired thousands of rounds on the rifle ranges, honing accuracy, and speed, learning to fire from awkward positions and under time pressure. Lewis gun teams trained separately, while all infantrymen were taught how to operate the weapon if needed. Gas warfare instruction was also compulsory; men practised donning respirators under simulated gas attacks, a grim but necessary preparation for conditions at the front.

Between training cycles, the battalion undertook further instruction at nearby camps on Salisbury Plain, including periods at Perham Down, another major training area used to relieve overcrowding and provide additional field space. Here the emphasis was on large-scale exercises involving entire brigades, practising attacks behind creeping artillery barrages, night operations, and movement under cover. These exercises often lasted days, with men sleeping in the open, reinforcing the endurance and discipline required for front-line service.

Despite the hard routine, there were moments of respite. When training schedules allowed, the men may have been granted short leave to nearby towns such as Salisbury or even London, where Australian soldiers briefly escaped the rigours of camp life. These interludes, however, were short-lived, and by autumn the training intensified as the battalion’s departure for France drew closer.

After many months of continuous preparation in England, the Battalion was judged ready for active service. The recruits had been transformed from a newly arrived reinforcement into a fully trained infantryman, accustomed to discipline, hardship, and the mechanics of modern war. When the battalion finally crossed to France, it did so as a cohesive and well-drilled unit, prepared—so far as training could allow—for the brutal realities of the Western Front.

TAKEN ON STRENGTH 69^TH BTN JULY 1917

On 14^th July 1917 he was taken on strength with the 69^th Battalion & transferred to their training camp at Hurdcott. During early 1917 the Australian Government approved the formation of additional battalions following the success of recruiting campaigns at home. The 69th Battalion was one of these proposed new units. To create it, men were drawn from reinforcement pools already in England, including soldiers originally destined for established battalions such as the 47th.

On 14 July 1917 Ernest was taken on strength of the 69th Battalion at Hurdcott Camp. The Army was reallocating men to build the new battalion. At Hurdcott he would have continued training with other soldiers earmarked for the 69th.

TRANSFERRED TO 47^TH BATTALION

However, events soon overtook the plan. The recruiting figures in Australia collapsed during 1917. Casualties on the Western Front remained high, but not enough men were arriving from home to sustain both the existing battalions and the proposed new units. As a result, the Australian authorities cancelled the formation of the 69th Battalion before it ever became an operational battalion.

Consequently, on 27 August 1917 Ernest was transferred back to the 47th Battalion and returned to Codford. In effect, the Army was undoing the earlier transfer. The men who had been gathered for the 69th were redistributed among reinforcement depots for existing battalions that desperately needed replacements in France.

FRANCE 42^ND BATTALION JANUARY 1918

By late 1917 the Australian battalions in France had suffered heavily during the battles of Messines, Ypres, Broodseinde, and Passchendaele. Reinforcements were urgently needed. Ernest remained at Codford for several months, continuing his training while awaiting a draft to France.

The next apparent puzzle is why a man associated with the 47th Battalion ended up in the 42nd Battalion.

When Ernest crossed to France on 27 December 1917, he entered the reinforcement system through the Australian Infantry Base Depot. Once there, reinforcements were allocated according to the Army's current needs, not necessarily according to the battalion for which they had originally trained. By that stage the 42nd Battalion required reinforcements, and Ernest was posted there instead.

This sort of transfer was quite common by late 1917 and 1918. The Australian Imperial Force had abandoned the idea of keeping reinforcements strictly tied to their original battalions. The priority was simply to keep front-line battalions up to fighting strength.

In short, Ernest became caught up in the failed 1917 expansion of the AIF. The cancellation of the 69th Battalion left him in a pool of trained reinforcements, and when he finally reached France the Army sent him where he was most needed—in the 42nd Battalion rather than the 47th. That was frustrating for many soldiers, who often expected to join the battalion whose colour patches they had worn throughout their training.

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.

CLOTHING AND NECESSITIES GIVEN TO SOLDIERS FOR SOLDIERS PROCEEDING TO AUSTRALIA FOR DEMOBILISATION

Badges Hat                    Badges Collar (2)                    Bags kit universal

Bags kit sea                   Braces (pair)                            Brush, shaving

Brush, tooth                  Breeches M.S (Military service)

Cap comforter (warm cap)                                           Comb, hair

Disc identity with cord                                                  Drawers (2 pairs)

Great Coat                     Hat, Khaki fur                          Hat, white

Holdall                           Housewife (compact sewing kit)

Jackets Cardigan           Jackets S.D (service dress)

Leggings 1 pair             Laces, leather 1 pair

Puggarees, small (a traditional Indian head wrap, worn in warm conditions

Puttees, 1 pair (cloth bandages worn by soldiers, to provide support and protection for the lower leg)

Razor                              Shirts, flannel (2)                   Socks, 3 pairs

Singlets (2)

Strap chin                      Soap piece                               Suit, working

Towels, hand (2)

Titles “Australia” (4)-
Australian soldiers and non-commissioned officers wore an “Australia” title at the base of their shoulder straps. Each serving soldier also wore unit titles above this which indicated the units to which they belonged

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.

DISCHARGED PERMANENTLY UNFIT AUGUST 1919

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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