SMITH, Frank Nelson
Service Numbers: | 65447, NX18262 |
---|---|
Enlisted: | 2 April 1939 |
Last Rank: | Private |
Last Unit: | 20th Australian Infantry Brigade |
Born: | Denman, New South Wales, Australia, 12 November 1919 |
Home Town: | Denman, Muswellbrook, New South Wales |
Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
Occupation: | Farmer |
Died: | Died of wounds, Italy, 1 May 1941, aged 21 years |
Cemetery: |
Beach Head War Cemetery, Anzio, Italy 31 October 1940 - reported MiA, believed Died of Wounds at Tobruk 1 May 1941 reported Died of Wounds 20 February 1953 - family advised remains located in the Aversa Communal Cemetery in Italy, and reburied at Beach Head War Cemetery in Anzico, Italy (Plot A, Row J, Grave 3), |
Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Ballarat Australian Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial |
World War 2 Service
2 Apr 1939: | Enlisted Trooper, 65447, 12th Light Horse Regiment | |
---|---|---|
3 Sep 1939: | Involvement Private, NX18262 | |
28 May 1940: | Enlisted Australian Army (Post WW2), NX18262, 20th Australian Infantry Brigade, 2/13th Australian Infantry Battalion | |
28 May 1940: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (Army WW2), Private, NX18262, 2nd/13th Infantry Battalion | |
19 Oct 1940: | Embarked Australian Army (Post WW2), NX18262, 20th Australian Infantry Brigade, Private - 2/13th Australian Infantry Battalion ex Sydney for the Middle East |
Help us honour Frank Nelson Smith's service by contributing information, stories, and images so that they can be preserved for future generations.
Add my storyBiography contributed by Chris Buckley
Frank was the youngest of eight children of Henry (Harry) Herbert Smith (born 1878 in Essex in England) and Ellen (Nell) Thirza Davis (born 1880 in Raymond Terrace in NSW). Harry and Nell married in 1906 in Raymond Terrace, near Newcastle, NSW and raised their family in the region. Harry was a Farmer, and Frank was Farming at Denman, in Musswelbrook, NSW when he enlisted in the CMF in 1939. He served as a Trooper (Service No: 65447) with the 12th Light Horse Regiment, and in May 1940 enlisted in the Australian Army. He served with the 2/13th Australian Infantry Battalion (also known as the 'Devil's Own') as a Private (Service No: NX18262). Frank trained at Ingleburn Army Camp, where the 2/13th, as part of the 20th Brigade, embarked from Sydney Harbour in October 1940, bound for the Middle East.
Frank was initially reported MIA, believed wounded on 31 October 1940, and on 1 June 1941 was reported dead. On 20 February 1953, the family recieved notifiation that 'NX18262 Pte Smith FN. The remains of the above - named deceased member of the 2/13 Aust, Inf. Bn. have been located in the AVERS Communal Cemetery, Italy, and reburial effected into the beach head War Cemetery, Anzio, Italy, Plot A, Row J, Grave 3" (Source: National Archives of Australia)
Two of Frank's brothers served with the ACMF in WWII - John (Jack) Lancer Smith as a Private (Service no: N289209) and Henry Raymond Smith as a Craftsman (Service Nos: NX171240/N276404). Three of his Borthers - in - Law also served - Cyricl Frank Prout served in WWI with 24th Australian Infantry Battalion as a Corporal (Service No: 6113); Ivor Aspley Hewitt served with the 12th Light Hosre Regiment as a Lieutenant (Service Nos: NX137589/N671); and Edgar (Ted) Melville Lamb served with 32 Battalion Volunteer Defence Corps as a Gunner (Service No: N154727)