LANCE CORPORAL JOHN PATRICK SMITH

281 – Aust Electrical & Mechanical Mining & Boring Company

Zeehan, Tasmania was stated to be the birthplace of John Patrick Smith in 1893 the son of Peter Smith.

At Cootamundra, New South Wales the twenty-two year old dairyman applied to enlist at the recruiting area office no. 44A on August 30, 1915 and passed the medical examination. Attestation Forms were completed and describe him as 178cms (5ft 10ins) weighing 74.7kgs (164lbs) with a chest measurement of 92cms (36ins). Complexion was fair with blue eyes and brown hair. Religious denomination was Roman Catholic. Next-of-kin was initially his father Peter Smith of Zeehan, Tasmania but later changed to his wife Mrs Maude E. Smith of 3 Vincent Street, Balmain, Sydney, NSW. He was sworn in at Cootamundra on September 14, 1915.

After basic training he was assigned to the No. 1 Company of the Mining Corps at their Casula camp, near Liverpool, NSW. His rank was Sapper with the regimental number 281.

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 via Suez, Port Said and Alexandria in Egypt. The Captain of the shipwas reluctantto take Ulysses out of the Suez Canal because he felt the weight of the ship made it impossible to manoeuvre in the situation of a submarine attack. The troops were transhipped to HM Transport B.1 Ansonia, then on to Valetta, Malta before disembarking at Marseilles, France on May 5, 1916. As a unit they entrained at Marseilles on May 7 and detrained on May 11 at Hazebrouck.

A ‘Mining Corps’ did not fit in the British Expeditionary Force, and the Corps was disbanded and three Australian Tunnelling Companies were formed. The Technical Staff of the Corps Headquarters, plus some technically qualified men from the individual companies, was formed into the entirely new Australian Electrical and Mechanical Mining and Boring Company (AEMMBC), better known as the ‘Alphabetical Company’.

The No. 1 Company became the 1st Tunnelling Company in the field.

Sapper Smith was attached to the 254th Tunnelling Company, Royal Engineers and suffered an accidental injury on August 21, 1916. First aid was administered at Pont Fire Dressing Station.

A Court of Inquiry into the accident was convened in the Orderly Room, Headquarters of the 254th Tunnelling Company on August 26, 1916 where the following witnesses were called to proceedings:

He was admitted to the 3rd Canadian General Hospital in Boulogne on August 25, 1916 suffering burns to his hands. On August 28 he was conveyed to England on the hospital ship Jan Breydal entering the Military Hospital at Bradford for treatment of burns to his hands (slight).

The Court of Inquiry reported its findings on August 26, 1916 as follows:

On September 22, 1916 was transferred to 1st Aust Auxiliary Hospital at Harefield, Middlesex.

When the Aust Electrical & Mechanical Mining & Boring Company was formed Sapper Smith was transferred to this company on September 30, 1916 and taken on strength.

He remained in hospital until discharged on November 7. Reported to Headquarters from hospital on November 8, 1916 and was granted furlough until November 22 and report to the No. 1 Command Depot at Perham Down’s camp.

He reported back from furlough and proceeded on November 29 from camp and transferred on December 1, 1916 to Westham camp. On December 11, 1916 marched into the Pioneer Training Battalion and from there moved to the No. 3 Motor Transport Company at Larkhill camp then returned on February 22, 1917 to the Pioneer Training Battalion.

The following disciplinary action took place at Fovant camp:

Offence:Fovant 22/5/17 absent without leave from midnight 21/5/17 until 10 a.m. 23/5/17

Award:7 day’s C.C. and forfeits 6 day’s pay by Major T.F. Buttidge

Total forfeiture:8 day’s pay - £2.0.0

On June 28, 1917 Sapper proceeded to France from Southampton arriving at the Aust General Base Depot in Rouelles a day later. On July 7, 1917 he marched out to rejoin his unit the following day having being invalided to England.

Blue Chevrons were issued to wear on his uniform for serving twelve months overseas service.

Sergeant E.G. ‘Hughie’ Dodd was also a member of the company and kept a diary of his work and fellow members. The following is an extract in which he mentions Sapper Smith:

March 4 [1918]

Met Charlie Calf and P J Smith from Givenchy at Old Kent and they told us Arthur Wigzell had been wounded, having an eye knocked out. Went to Newton Gun and watched them putting 6" over to him. Ted Newton landed up this morning. Came back from Blighty.

Leave was granted on March 20 and returned to duty on April 3, 1918.

He was appointed to the rank of Lance Corporal on April 20, 1918.

When Peace was declared they remained on the front continuing to generate electricity and supply and service small engines and pumps for water supplies for those rehabilitating their areas.

His last payment made in France took place on January 6, 1919.

Orders were received to report to the Aust Base Depot to prepare for demobilisation and they left on April 28, 1919 and crossed the English Channel arriving at the Reserve Brigade Aust Artillery camp the next day.

The extract from the Dodd Diary on their departure stated:

June 16 [1919]

Bill Davies, Lieut. Norfolk, with about 40 men of the Coy marched out with 37 Quota at 6 this morning for Devonport, sailing at 4 o'clock this afternoon by the Ormonde.

After demobilisation Sapper Smith embarked for Australia on June 16, 1919 on board H.T. Ormonde. Base Records advised his wife on July 16, 1919 that he was on his way home. The ship docked in Sydney (2nd M.D.) on August, 4, 1919. Their arrival was printed in the:

Military Discharge was issued in Sydney (2nd M.D.) on October 14, 1919 as medically unfit.

The British War Medal (34063) and the Victory Medal (33619) were issued to Sapper 281 John Patrick Smith, Aust Electrical & Mechanical Mining & Boring Company for serving his country.

A full Service Record was sent to the Department of Repatriation Commissioner on February 22, 1921.

Another Statement of Service and medical records were requested from Base Records by the Sydney Branch of Repatriation Commission and forwarded on March 21, 1934.

John Patrick Smith died aged 55 years on December 21, 1948. A funeral notice appeared in the:

His grave is located in Eastern Suburbs Cemetery & Crematorium in the Botany Cemetery within the Roman Catholic portion; section FM16 in grave no. 1305.

REUNIONS

Former members of the (Alphabet Company) Aust Electrical & Mechanical Mining & Boring Company and Tunnellers’ in Sydney would meet to march in the Anzac Day parade then attend their annual luncheon. Roll Registers for newsletters of this annual event were kept and his name appears as follows:

1928J.P. Smith 414 Park Street, Moore Parkchanged to: 6 Waverley Street, Waverley

Tramway Workshops, Waverley

Notation: letter returned 1932

1934 Smith, J.P. Tramway Workshops, Waverleychanged to: c/o Laboratory, Randwick

W/shops

© Donna Baldey 2014