This man is a candidate for addition to Keighley's Supplementary Volume under the proposal to add further names in 2024, the centenary of the original roll of honour.
Click here to go to the Main page
Supported by the National Lottery's Heritage Fund, our project intends to submit about 120 names for peer review to add them to the book which is kept at Keighley Library. The unveiling of the book with it's new names is planned for November 2024, 100 years after the unveiling of the original war memorial.
Private. A Company, 53rd Battalion, Australian Infantry Force. Service Number 3439.
Early life:
Ernest Smith was the son of John William Smith and Mary Ann Smith née Young. The Smith household was at 18, Mohair Street in Keighley since at least 1881, having moved there from their home in West Lane, sometime after the 1871 census. Most of the family were employed in the textile industry, weavers and spinners etc.
John and Mary Ann were married in 1894, registered in Keighley in the last quarter of the year.
Ernest was born a couple of years later in 1897 and his birth was registered at Keighley in the first quarter of that year.
John William seems to have had a change of occupation as in the 1901 census he's a fish merchant. His widowed mother Elizabeth is now a shopkeeper and in the electoral roll for 1900 and 1901, John is living at 18, Mohair Street and running a shop at 119 West Lane. Perhaps Elizabeth and John were in business together at that time.
Living at 18, Mohair Street are Elizabeth who is 78 and head of the household, John aged 32, Mary aged 30 and their only son Ernest, aged four.
Later this year they had another child, Albert, and his birth was registered in Keighley in the last quarter of the year.
This joy at their new arrival didn't last for long as John's mother Elizabeth died at the age of 78, with her death also being registered at Keighley in the last quarter of 1901. After she died it seems that John and Mary made the decision to emigrate for a new life in the United States of America. It was on Christmas Eve, 24th December 1902, when they embarked from Liverpool on the S.S. Teutonic. Their destination was New York. John was recorded as 34 years old and a warp dresser, Mary was a 32 year old housekeeper and Ernest was aged six. Albert, the baby of the family, was just 18 months old. After a journey of ten or eleven days, they arrived at the destination port of New York on 2nd January 1903.
New York was just their initial destination as they travelled right across America to California and were there in 1906 where Mary gave birth to another son called Levi. Sadly he appears to have died aged about five in 1911.
On 9th March 1908, John petitioned for naturalisation in the State of California.
John was granted his naturalisation papers and received a certificate to this effect dated 5th August 1908 in Placer in California.
He and his family appear in the 1910 Federal Census for Township 3, Placer, California. John is described as 42 and a farmer on his own account and the owner of his house. The household members are: John W. Smith aged 42, Mary A. Smith aged 40, Ernest Smith aged 13, Albert Smith aged 8, Levi Smith aged 4.
War service:
We next see a mention of Ernest when he enlisted for the Infantry in Australia in 1915, when he would have been about 19. Quite how he came to be in Australia is a slight mystery and our first thought was that this might not be him. Perhaps he'd intended to emigrate there or was just travelling. However, after he died in the war his parents and brother Albert came from America to Australia, arriving on 13th June 1916, presumably to sort out Ernest's affairs. The details of this are in Ernest's Australian Army service record, from the National Archives of Australia. Their intention was to stay for two months and return to the USA.
Enlistment:
In his Australian Army service record, Ernest declared that he was born in Keighley, Yorkshire, England and was a farm labourer. He was 19 years old when he attested on 19th July 1915. He took the oath at Cootamundra and became enlisted on 28th July 1915.
He joined the 11th Reinforcements, 4th Battalion and was issued with the service number 3439. He stated that he was unmarried and had no prior military service.
Ernest gave his mother's name Mary Ann Smith as his next of kin and that she was initially residing at Farm 173 at Leeton in New South Wales, then living at Cherrywood, Balmoral in New South Wales. His father was Mr. J. W. Smith of Box 422, Auburn, Placer, California.
Ernest's medical details were as follows: Age 19 years and two months, 5 feet 8 inches tall, 9 stone 11 lbs weight, chest 35 inches. Medium complexion, grey-blue eyes and dark hair. Religion, Church of England.
On 29th July 1915 he was transferred to the 4th Battalion. He embarked on H.M.A.T. A17 'Port Lincoln' on 13th October 1915.
He signed his soldier's will on 8th January 1916 in which he left the whole of his property and effects to his Mother.
They arrived at Egypt and proceeded to TEL-EL-KEBIR near the Suez Canal. On 16th February Ernest was taken on strength of the 53rd Battalion, two days after this battalion was formed. This was recorded at Zeitoun which is about 50 miles away in Cairo.
53rd Battalion War diary entry:
Australian Imperial Force unit war diaries
1914 - 1918. Items no. 23/70/1 and 23/70/2.
53rd Infantry Battalion. 1916.
On 19th June 1916 the 53rd Battalion embarked on the Royal George to join the British Expeditionary Force at Alexandria. They put to sea on 22nd June and after an uneventful journey of about six days, they disembarked at Marseilles on the 28th.
After disembarking, they entrained at 08.00. The train took 62 hours to travel to THIENNES where they were housed in billets at 17.00 on 30th June.
8th July:
The Battalion marched from here to billets in ESTAIRES and from here they marched to SAILLY and joined the 14th Brigade. They took up position in the line near FLEURBAIX, completing the relief at 02.10 on Monday 11th July.
FLEURBAIX.
16th July. 01.30:
Moved to billets to BAC St. MAIN, being relieved by 12th Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps.
TRENCHES.
17th July. 03.00:
Moved to, and took over (from 57th Battalion AIF) sector of trenches, right resting on River LAIES and left 90 yards East.
A & B Companies in fire trench. C & D & Headquarters in Support.
July 18th. 0300:
Took over from 54th Battalion the sector of trenches held by them and being the 300th running East and immediately adjoining our present left. Our section frontage 600 yards.
Lt. Colonel Norris killed in action on 19th July.
Attack on German Trenches.
TRENCHES.
19th July. 11.00 am:
Heavy bombardment by our guns on enemy trenches and equally heavy bombardment by enemy on our trenches and communications. Casualties by 15.00 hours, about 50.
16.00:
54th Battalion took over adjoin the left 300 yards of our trenches and Battalion closed in on it's original front of 300 yards with right on River LAIES - A & B Companies (Captain Thompson and Murray) in front line.
C & D Companies (Major Sampson and Captain Arblastor) in support trenches.
17.43:
Battalion moved to attack in four waves 1/2 Company of both A & B in first and second waves, 1/2 Company of C & D in third and fourth waves. Battalion Headquarters with fourth waves.
First wave moved out from our trenches at 5.43pm followed at 100 yards distance by second wave - lay down new German wire till 6 pm. Then charged followed by third and fourth waves (C & D Companies) - Took German first and second line and pushed on parties about 200 yards further on to hold back enemy's bombers who were counter attacking on front and right flank, while the remainder proceeded to consolidate the position on the German's first and second line trench. Touch was obtained with the 54th Battalion on our left but no one could be found on our right.
The line was held throughout night against violent attacks, until orders were received (about 9 am) from O.C. 14th Brigade to retire from position won. - our right flank being in the air, enemy had already turned it and established themselves in their first line trenches in rear of our right.
About 9.30 am (20th July):
Retired though with heavy loss, covered by fire from our own front line.
Battalion went into action with 28 officers 823 other ranks.
Casualties killed - Officers: 5 other ranks 30.
Wounded: Officers 10 other ranks 343
Missing: Officers 8 other ranks 228.
(As known on 26th July)
Ernest was in A Company when he was wounded in action during the attacks on 19th July. He had serious gunshot wounds to his legs and a mild wound to his shoulder. He was evacuated to 14th Field Ambulance on 19th July and then straight to the 8th Australian Casualty Clearing Station and was transferred to an ambulance train the next day. On 23rd July 1916, he died of his wounds at No. 2 Canadian Stationary Hospital at Outreau in France. His body was conveyed to the 13th General Hospital Mortuary. He was buried in grave 144 of row A in plot VIII at Boulogne Cemetery, by Reverend T. S. Goudge.
His personal effects were an Electric Lamp, Revolver, Belt, Pouch, Cotton bag.
Also a second list shows that his mother received Ernest's three identity discs, wrist watch and strap, belt, 2 badges, knife, note book and photos. This package arrived and was signed for by his father John on 7th July 1917.
On 21st January 1920 John also received a photograph of Ernest's grave.
On 7th April 1921 his father John signed for receipt of Ernest's 1914-15 Star medal, and on 12th June 1922 he signed for his British War Medal and Victory Medal. On 15th July he received a memorial scroll and the King's message of condolence followed by the issue of a bronze memorial plaque on 31st July 1922.
Letter from the Australian Base Records:
12th August 1916.
Dear Sir,
In reply to your letter (undated) concerning your son, No. 3439 Private E. Smith, 53rd (formerly 4th) Battalion, I regret to inform you that, in a cable message dated London 26/7/16, he is reported as having died of wounds on 23/7/16 at the Canadian Stationary Hospital, Outreau, France. A message despatched earlier the same day stated he was dangerously ill.
The above news was communicated to the Military Commandant, Sydney, for transmission to the soldier's mother, Mr. Ann Smith, Farm Lobby, Leeton, but a reply was received to the effect that this person had left for America four weeks previously, and, although inquiries were made through the Press for her address, the information could not be obtained.
I shall be glad if you will furnish me with her present address, so that she may be communicated with.
Yours faithfully,
Major,
Officer I/c Base Records.
Mr. J. W. Smith, Cherrywood, Balmoral, Southern Line, New South Wales.
Letter from John to Base records: 19th August, 1916.
Dear Sir,
In reply to your letter BR76294 Aug 12th/16. Re Private Ernest Smith No. 3439, of the 53 (formerly 4th) Battalion, who died of wounds in France.
Re the address of his mother
Mrs Mary Ann Smith
Her present address
Mrs Mary Ann Smith
Cherrywood
Balmoral
N.S.W. Southern Line.
Her former address was farm 173 Leeton.
We lived there when he enlisted.
Yours truly,
John W. Smith
Cherrywood
Balmoral
Southern Line
N.S.W.
PS This is his father writing.
(acknowledged on 5/9/16 3439 Smith E. dead 27/7/16.
D9870.
A letter was sent from Cherrywood, Balmoral by John to enquire about Ernest's fate:
Dear Sir,
I am receiving letters of sympathy on the report of my son being killed in action. As I have never seen his name amongst the list of killed or wounded, I am writing to you for any information you may have of him. I should like you to let me know at once and oblige.
His name and number: Private Ernest Smith. No. 3439.
A Company, 53 Battalion, A.I.F.
Yours truly, John W. Smith, Cherrywood, Balmoral. NSW.
The letter was received on 7th August 1916 and responded to immediately. They appeared to be under the impression that Mary Ann was in America so had not sent anything to John, even though they were both still living at Cherrywood.
John and Mary Ann moved back to California with their surviving son Albert and in the 1920 Federal Census of the United States, were living on Lincoln Way, Auburn, Placer in California. John was running a laundry business in the town. John was 51, Mary Ann was 52 and Albert was 18.
The California Death Index, records that they both died and their deaths were recorded at Placer in California.
John died on 21st October 1922 and Mary Ann died on 12th February 1952. Their grave is at Old Auburn Cemetery in Auburn, Placer County, California, USA
Remembrance:
Ernest is buried at BOULOGNE EASTERN CEMETERY at Grave 144 of row A in plot VIII.
His name is also engraved on the Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour at Canberra and on the Leeton ANZAC Memorial Clock Tower and Memorial. Leeton is about 350 miles to the West of Sydney, in New South Wales.
He is not named on any war memorial in his birth town of Keighley.
Information sources:
1871 England Census
1881 England Census
1891 England Census
England & Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1837-1915
England & Wales, Civil Registration Birth Index, 1837-1915
West Yorkshire, England, Electoral Registers, 1840-1962
1901 England Census
England & Wales Births 1837-2006
England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1837-1915
Passenger Lists Leaving UK 1890-1960
New York, Passenger and Crew Lists (including Castle Garden and Ellis Island), 1820-1957
California, State Court Naturalization Records, 1850-1986
1910 United States Federal Census
National Archives of Australia
Australian Imperial Force unit war diaries 1914 - 1918. Items no. 23/70/1 and 23/70/2.
Commonwealth War Graves Commission - Headstone Placeholder
U.S. Passport Applications, 1795-1925
1920 United States Federal Census
California, Death Index, 1905-1939
Findagrave.com.