Randolph David John Smith

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Sun, 25/06/2017 - 15:12

First Name:

Randolph

Middle Name:

David John

Last Name:

Smith

Date of Birth:

Wednesday, August 5, 1891

Mother's Name:

Mary Smith nee Grainger

Father's Name:

Joseph Smith

Date Enlisted:

Monday, September 11, 1916

Rank at Enlistment:

Private

Rank at Discharge:

Private

Unit:

13th Battalion

Service:

Infantry

Awards:

British War Medal

Victory Medal

1914/1915 Star

Date of Death:

Thursday, April 10, 1924

Place of Death:

Sydney, NSW

Cause of Death:

Accidental

Details:

David Smith (Service No 6808), was born in Keiraville, N.S.W.

On 1 April 1912, he married Mabel Buckland, in Wollongong, N.S.W.

When enlisting in Wollongong, NSW, Randolph used the name David to enlist. At enlistment, David was 25 years of age and employed as a labourer.

David embarked on HMAT A17 - SS Port Nicholson, with the 13th Battalion, 22nd Reinforcement on 8 November 1916. He arrived in England on 10 January 1917 and joined the 13th Battalion in France on 30 April 1917.

David was court martialed for being absent without leave, while in Belgium and England. He was returned to Australia in June 1919, and discharged on 31 August 1919.

David and his wife Mabel divorced in 1924 and just before it was finalised, he was killed in a workplace accident at the Central Brick Company at St Peters, NSW. He had been hit on the head by a rock fall. As the divorce had not been finalised, Mabel and their children were awarded £500 compensation for his death.

David is buried in the Methodist Cemetery in Bulli, NSW.

Sources:

NAA: B2455, SMITH D J