SAPPER HAROLD JOHN STEPHEN SMITH
844 – No. 2 Company, Mining Corps
Croydon, New South Wales was the birthplace of Harold John Stephen Smith on February 28, 1893 the
son of Stephen Peter O. and Charlotte Emily (nee Porter) Smith. He said he had been apprenticed to this
father S.P.O. Smith as a motor mechanic.
At the recruiting depot in Victoria Barracks, Sydney, New South Wales on February 10, 1916 the almost
23 year old applied to enlist for active service abroad. Passing the medical examination personal
particulars show he was unmarried and 183cms (6ft) tall with a chest expansion of 89-99cms (35-39ins).
His residence was Cheltenham Road, Burwood, NSW. Declared fit his application was accepted by the
recruiting officer.
Attestation forms were completed adding further information he weighed 73.6kgs (162lbs) with a
medium complexion, blue eyes that tested to good vision and brown hair. Distinctive mark noted was a
scar inside the left leg, middle third. Presbyterian was his religious faith. Next-of-kin was his father
S.P.O. Smith of Cheltenham Road, Burwood, NSW. He was sworn in the next day at Casula camp near
Liverpool, NSW.
The Mining Corps was in their last stages of preparation for embarkation when Harold was assigned to
the 1st Reinforcement, No. 2 Company of the Corps. He had little military training time and was
examined and passed in knowledge as a Motor Driver with two years’ experience in driving. His rank
was Sapper with the regimental number 844.
At a civic parade in the Domain, Sydney on Saturday February 19, 1916, a large crowd of relations and
friends of the departing Miners lined the four sides of the parade ground. Sixty police and 100 Garrison
Military Police were on hand to keep the crowds within bounds. The scene was an inspiriting one. On the
extreme right flank, facing the saluting base, were companies of the Rifle Club School; next came a
detachment of the 4th King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, then the bands of the Light Horse, Liverpool
Depot, and the Miners’ on the left, rank upon rank, the Miners’ Battalion.
The Corps boarded HMAT A38 Ulysses in Sydney, NSW on February 20 and sailed for the European
theatre. Arriving in Melbourne, Victoria on February 22 the Miners camped at Broadmeadows for a stay
of 7 days while further cargo was loaded.
Another parade was held at the Broadmeadows camp on March 1, the Miners’ Corps being inspected by
the Governor-General, as Commander-in-Chief of the Commonwealth military forces.
Leaving Melbourne on March 1, Ulysses arrived at Fremantle, Western Australia on March 7 where a
further 53 members were taken on board.
On Wednesday March 8, 1916 the whole force, with their band and equipment, paraded at Fremantle
prior to leaving Victoria Quay at 9.30 o’clock.
The ship hit a reef when leaving Fremantle harbour, stripping the plates for 40 feet and, although there
was a gap in the outside plate, the inner bilge plates were not punctured. The men on board nicknamed
her ‘Useless’. The Miners were off-loaded and sent to the Blackboy Hill Camp where further training
was conducted.
The Mining Corps comprised 1303 members at the time they embarked with a Headquarters of 40; No.1
Company – 390; No.2 Company – 380; No.3 Company – 392, and 101 members of the 1st
Reinforcements.
Finally departing Fremantle on April 1, Ulysses voyaged for France via Suez, Port Said and Alexandria in
Egypt. Sapper Smith was marked disembarked from the transport as sick the same day.
He returned to Sydney (2nd Military District) on April 15, 1916 and his military discharge was issued
from there on May 15, 1916 as medically unfit due to chronic rheumatism.
He was issued with the British War Medal on December 6, 1920.
His marriage took place in 1924 at Maclean, NSW to Elvira Lillian Robertson.
Their residence from 1930 onwards was 25 Edward Street, Bondi with his occupation as mechanic in
1930 then changed to painter. In 1954 their residence was 35 Edward Street, Bondi.
His wife died on July 21, 1961.
A Statement of his Service was requested by the Sydney branch of the Repatriation Commission and
forwarded by Base Records on June 19, 1963.
Harold John Stephen Smith passed away at 83 years of age on December 23, 1976. Family notices were
printed in the:
Sydney Morning Herald Friday December 24, 1976:
DEATHS
SMITH, Harold John—December 23, 1976, of 18 Miami Parade, Woy Woy and formerly of Bondi, beloved
Husband of Elvie (deceased), loved brother of Olga, Madge, Ron (deceased), Russell, Norma (deceased),
Marion, Steven, Joy and Peg, aged 83 years. At rest.
FUNERALS
SMITH—The friends of HAROLD JOHN SMITH, of Woy Woy will take place in the chapel of Northern
Suburbs Crematorium, This Day (Friday) commencing at 3 p.m.
Relatives and Friends please meet at the Crematorium.
R.H. CREIGHTON
Central Coast Funeral Service, Gosford, A.F.D.A.
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