Ancestor Details
Name of Ancestor: Harry Smith
Ancestor's date of birth: 05/07/1880
Ancestor's date of death: 19/10/1970
Cause of Death: Broken Hip and didn't recover
Service Number: 268
Colony or State of enlistment: QLD, Place of Enlistment: Brisbane
Unit: 5th Queensland Imperial Bushman
Rank attained in Boer War: SGT, Date Effective: 28/09/1901
Highest Rank attained (if served after war): No details provided
Murray Page: 499
Contingent: 5th QIB
Ship: Templemore, Date of Sailing: 06/03/1901
Memorial details: Buried at Gleneagle Cemetery near Beaudesert Qld
Decorations: MDRCA Medal 1901. Mentioned for conspicuous gallantry during a Boer attack on Convoy Mooi Fontein, South of Bethel 25th May 1901. He was an acting Sgt and this was recorded in Lord Kitcheners Gazette July 1901. He was also mentioned in dispatches in the London Gazette 20th August 1901. At one stage he was presented a pipe by the Queen.
Personal Characteristics: Quite and well respected
Reasons to go and fight: He wanted to serve his Country
Details of service in war: CLICK HERE for the details in Murray of the QIB in South Africa.
Service and life after the Boer War: 9th Australian Infantry Battalion 1902 - 1907.
The following was received by the family after Mr Harry Smith passed away:
"Kinnard Home
120 Bowen Tce
New Farm 4005
4th November 1970Dear Mrs Wilkie,
Miss Smith, at Braille Home, kindly gave me your address. The Chairman and members of the Victoria League for Commonwealth Friendship, wish to convey their sympathy to the family of the late Mr H Smith, their honorary life member and African War Veteran.
We trust that you find comfort in the thought that there is no more sickness and suffering for him.
Yours Sincerley,
Jean Hardie [Miss]
Convener African War Veterans"In the Local Beaudesert Newspaper;
"VALE HARRY SMITH
With the passing of the late Harry Smith,the Beaudesert Rifle Club has severed it's final link with the past. Harry was the last of the foundation members who commenced the sport of rifle shooting in the Beaudesert district in 1905. He was a brilliant marksman,holding the clubs championship for many years. He spent many pleasant hours piling up records on the old rifle range, which in those days ran parallel to the towns side of the present Golf course.Members of the Rifle Club extend their sympthy to his family.
Descendant Details
Name of Descendant: Coral Wilkie, Beaudesert QLD
Relationship to Ancestor: Daughter
