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FREDERICK EDWARD SMITH
Frederick Smith was born about 1853, at Southborough, Kent, England. He married Mary Elizabeth Andrews, daughter of William Andrews and Mary Ann (Robinson) Andrews in 1884 at Noring Lake and died on 30 July, 1931, at Moojebing, Western Australia.
DEATH NOTICE.
SMITH.
West Australian
4 August, 1931, (p1)
On July 30, at Moojebing, Frederick Edward, beloved husband of Mary Elizabeth, and fond father of Ada (Mrs. Meharry), William, Grace (Mrs. Roddy), Ella (Mrs. Hamer), Horace, Doris and Norman; aged 78 years. Abide with Me.
OBITUARY.
FREDERICK EDWARD SMITH.
Southern Districts Advocate
3 August, 1931 (p2)
Yet others of the old settlers of the district are passing out. On Thursday last Mr Frederick Edward Smith died at his home at Moojebing at the age of 76 years. Deceased was an Englishman, and arrived at Moojebing in the year 1885, where he farmed on the land he later sold to the late Mr Wesley Maley. Having disposed of this, Mr Smith returned to the little centre and resided there till the time of his death. He was a bricklayer by trade and was the builder of the home of the late Mr Tom Garstone.
He married the eldest daughter of the late Mr and Mrs W. Andrews, of Moojebing, and his widow, three daughters and three sons survive. The remains were laid to rest in the Anglican portion of the Katanning cemetery on Friday last, the Rev. Canon Watson officiating at the graveside, while Mr J. Squiers had charge of the mortuary arrangements.
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LIEUTENANT HORACE BERNARD SMITH – 1053
Born: Moojebing, Katanning, WA
Father: Frederick Edward Smith 1853-1931
Mother: Mary Elizabeth Smith (Andrews) 1861-1947
Siblings:
Ada Mary: born 1885 married Robert Meharry 1904
William Bertie: born 1887 married Edith Bolt 1922
Grace Alice: born 1889 married Peter Roddy 1917
Ella Elizabeth: born1891 married Edward Hamer
Horace Bernard Walter: born 1893 married Florence Edith Bass 1918
Doris Vera May: born 1896 married George Jacobi 1933
Mary Ann Robinson: born 1900-1904
Norman Frederick James: born 1902 married Juanita Roggerini
Education: Moojebing School – left when he was 12 and went shearing and working on the farm.
Died: 7 October 1974 aged 81 years and was buried at Alambie Park, Albany
Enlistment Details
Age: 22 years
Unit: Joined 15 Depot Company and transferred to 32nd Battalion
Place: Katanning
Date: 12 July 1915
Personal details: 5 ft 7 3/4 inches, 165 lbs, blue eyes, brown hair, fair complexion. Single
Service Details:
C Company 32 Battalion – Blackboy Hill
Departed to Katuna from Fremantle 18 November 1915
Arrived Marseilles 23 June 1916
France – Fromelles, Amiens, Somme, Fontaine le Cappy
Promoted to Corporal 18/8/1916
Commended for Distinguished Conduct Medal December 1916
Appointed Lance Sergeant 23 March 1917
Promoted to Sergeant 18 April 1917
Attended Lewis Gun School 28/6/17
Army Infantry School 4/10/17
Officer Training College Cambridge England 27/12/17
Promoted to Second Lieutenant 2 July 1918
Promoted to Lieutenant 31 October 1918
Awarded Military Cross 31 January 1919 for Gallantry and Leadership in the field in August 1918
(London Gazette 1 February 1919 page 1737)
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/31158/supplement/1737/data.pdf
(Commonwealth of Australia Gazette 3 June1919 page 956)
Disembarked at Fremantle 16 June 1919 with Florence Edith aboard the , “Ormonde“, 15 September 1919
Heroic Away in Battle and Back Home
Advertiser News
Gallipoli Centenary
April 23 2015
Author – Sue Smith
While war and traumatic experiences in life are events most of us hope never to be exposed to, for a young farm boy, both were to come soon enough. In a desperate attempt to save his young sister when her clothes caught alight in a stubble fire, eleven year old Dick Smith was overwhelmed by flames, calling quickly for his father and older brother William. Sadly, four year old Mary Ann Smith lost her life. For Dick and his family witnessing the event, one can only imagine the impact of such a horrendous tragedy.
Born in 1893 at Moojebing, a small township on the Great Southern Railway, Dick was the fifth child of Frederick Edward Smith and Mary Elizabeth Andrews. Frederick, a stonemason, had established himself as a builder and contractor, working in partnership with A G Horley to build the church on Mount Pleasant at Arthur River, churches on the Williams River and at Kojonup, the Piesse homestead Tabelup at Arthur River and the Marracoonda School north-west of Katanning. Mary’s family were well known Katanning identities, her father William highly respected in the community as a man of integrity and enterprise and her sister Fanny Quartermaine well known in the district as a nurse and registered midwife.
Educated at Moojebing, Dick left school at twelve, becoming an able assistant to his dad mixing mortar as well as helping out on the family farm Moojeping, the selection originally taken up by his grandfather William Andrews. Hardworking and resourceful, Dick worked on many farms in the district and was greatly respected for his work ethic. A competitive cyclist, he participated in the Katanning road race competition and was a brilliant shot, winning many trophies in local rifle competitions.
Enlisting with the Australian Infantry Force in July, 1915, Lieut Horace [Dick] Bernard Walter Smith, MC, 1053, was posted to the 32nd Battalion. Raised at Mitcham in South Australia, the battalion was comprised of recruits from its home state and from Western Australia. Making his way to Adelaide, Dick was soon to display his skills as a marksman, the winner of a musketry competition of 1200 competitors with a top score at 100, 200 and 600 yards. His speed and precision earned him the accolade of being likened to the capabilities of the best machine gun.
Leaving Australia in November 1915, Dick sailed for Egypt. Receiving a battlefield promotion in France, Dick was appointed corporal in August 1916. Detached to the machine gun section of his battalion, he was placed on command with the Lewis Gun School, rejoining his unit in the field a month later. In March 1917, Dick was promoted to lance sergeant and sergeant a month later. He proceeded to an officers training battalion in England in December 1917 and was placed on the supernumerary list. On command with the Number 5 Officers Cadet Battalion he was appointed a cadet at Cambridge, qualifying for a commission. During his time at Cambridge he met Florence Edith Bass. They married in the historic city in May 1919.
On command at the school of instruction, from the 14th Training Battalion at Tidworth, Dick was appointed lieutenant in October 1918. Whilst receiving a recommendation for the Distinguished Conduct Medal, he was decorated with the Military Cross, his citation reading “During the operations near Fontaine les Cappy, on 27th-29th August, 1918, when the flank of the company was held up by a well concealed machine gun and about thirty men, he advanced with two men and a non-commissioned officer, and captured the gun and eight prisoners, putting the remainder to flight with heavy loss. His gallantry and good leadership were conspicuous, and his complete disregard for his own safety was a splendid example to his men”.
Returning to Australia, Dick continued to farm in the Katanning district, leasing a property at Cherry Tree pool before purchasing a farm at Dongolocking, north of Dumbleyung. During the Second World War, he was a captain in the Volunteer Defence Corps at Dumbleyung, his Saturday afternoons spent undertaking drill instruction. With a strong sense of civic responsibility, he served as a member of the Dumbleyung Road Board from 1948 – 1960.
Dick moved to Albany in 1952 in semi retirement, regularly returning to the family farm at Dongolocking which remains with the family. Never one to be idle, he involved himself in bowls, playing at the Middleton Beach bowling club for many years. Dick passed away in Albany in 1973 at 80 years of age. He is buried at Allambie Park Cemetery alongside Florence.
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CORPORAL WILLIAM BERTIE SMITH – 5924
Born: Moojebing, Katanning, WA
Father: Frederick Edward Smith 1853-1931
Mother: Mary Elizabeth Smith (Andrews) 1861-1947
Siblings:
Ada Mary: born 1885 – married Robert Meharry 1904
William Bertie: born 1887 – married Edith Bolt 1922
Grace Alice: born 1889 – married Peter Roddy 1917
Ella Elizabeth: born 1891 – married Edward Hamer
Horace Bernard Walter: born 1893 – married Florence Edith Bass 1918
Doris Vera May: born 1896 – married George Jacobi 1933
Mary Ann Robinson: born 1900-1904
Norman Frederick James: born 1902 – married Juanita Rogerini
Education: Moojebing School
Employed as: Railway worker
Died 1967 aged 80 years at Nippering
Enlistment Details:
Age: 29 years
Unit: 27th Battalion
Enlisted: Katanning
Date: 18 April 1916
Personal details: 5 ft 3 inches, 118 lbs, blue eyes, brown hair, fair complexion. Single
Service Details:
16/27th Battalion
Departed Fremantle on Port Melbourne, 30/10/16
Joined 7th Training Battalion Rollestone UK
Arrived France 12 February 1917
France, Belgium
Promoted to Lance Corporal 6/9/18 to 13/4/19
Promoted to Corporal 19/4/19
Wounded in action 10 June 1918. Shrapnel, finger, chest and arm – in Canadian Hospital for 6 weeks.
“Main” Southampton 23 July 1919
Disembarked 27 September 1919
Discharged: 12 November 1919
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