George Alexander Gordon SMITH
Personal
Born: 29 May, 1885
Birthplace: South Bundalong, Victoria, Australia
Parents: Alfred Arthur Smith (1848-1918) and Mary McLeod (1846-1924)
They had 11 children, 6 girls & 5 boys George Alexander Gordon was third youngest.
Died: 22 December, 1966
Place of death: Wangaratta, Victoria; Registration No. 294 (1967)
Awards and Honours
- British War Medal 1914-20
- Victory Medal
Battalions
3rd Pioneer battalion, Reinforcement 2; 5th Pioneers
Events
Enlistment
Regimental Service Number: 1939/1939A
Enlistment date: 2 June, 1916 Melbourne
Age at enlistment: 28 years 11 months
Address at enlistment: Gnotuk Park, Toolern Vale, Victoria, Australia
Religion: Church of England
Marital Status: Married
Next of kin: Wife: Mrs Lilian Smith, Gnotuk Park, Toolern Vale, Victoria, Australia
Physical Description: Height: 5 feet 9 inches
Weight: 146 pounds
Complexion: Fresh
Eyes: Grey
Hair: Dark Brown
Distinctive marks: Scars both knees & back of neck; moles right shoulder & near left ear
Embarkation ship: HMAT A32 Themistocles.
Rank: Private
Return Date: 2 June, 1919
Return Vessel: Beltana.
Arrival at Australia: 19 July, 1919.
Discharge Date: 2 September, 1919
War Service Summary
11/09/1916 - Disembarked Plymouth
02/11/1916 - Embarked SS Onward Folkestone to join 5th Pioneer Battalion
03/11/1916 - At Etaples, France
20/11/1916 - In the field
14/01/1917 - To hospital sick; teeth
24/01/1917 - Dental work in the field
30/04/1917 - Rejoined unit
18/11/1917 - To UK on leave
09/12/1917 - Rejoined unit
19/11/1918 - Leave - France
19/11/1918 - Rejoined unit
09/04/1919 - Prepares to leave France for Return To Australia
16/04/1919 - Marched out to England ex France
02/06/1919 - RTA aboard Beltana
War Service Commemerated
Life After the War
22/08/1906 - George married Lilian Mabel Aldridge (1844-1936) at Springhurst, Victoria, Australia
Children:
Alice Mabel, Dulcie Thelma, Ernest George, Evelyn Jean, Irene Patricia
January/1940 - George married Olive Johnson (1897-1983) at Wangaratta, Reg. No. 2890
Place/s of residence:
1924 Springhurst
Occupations:
Farmer
Date of death:
22/12/1966 Wangaratta Reg # 294 (1967)
Other relevant information:
The Smith family lived in the Wangaratta area.
After their marriage, George and Lillie farmed at Boralma, near Wangaratta. George's Service Record shows them at Gnotuk Park, Toolern Vale with George a farmer. This was a 700 acre farm with many farm labourers, so it is more likely he was a farm manager before joining up. The 1919 Electoral Roll shows George still in Toolern Vale, but a second roll for that year has the couple farming at Springhurst, where George continued to farm for the rest of his life.
Georges connection to Melton appears to be fleeting.
Additional Information
Melton Express
Saturday 3 June 1916, P 2
Notes from a Toolern Vale correspondent:-
The latest recruit from here is Mr. Smith, the popular and energetic manager of Mr. Hoadley's "Gnotuk Park" estate. Mr. Smith is young married man, with four children. -- A wristlet watch has been forwarded to Mr. Sam McCorkell by the Melton committee. Mr. McCorkell was home on final leave some time ago.
Sources
Service Record
Nominal Roll