Ernest Bertie Smith was born in Ballarat and was a Labourer by trade when he enlisted in the 5th Battalion, 11th Reinforcement on 16 July 1915 at the age of 24. His unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A71 Nestor on 11 October 1915. By the end of March 1916 he had joined the 5th Battalion in France. In July he was hospitalised with varicose veins before spending time at the No.1 Convalescent Depot in England, and was unable to rejoin his unit until late March 1917. On September 20th 1917 while fighting in Belgium, he was wounded in action. He sustained a severe gunshot wound to his left arm and was evacuated to the Middlesex War Hospital in England. He was returned to Australia on the Osterley and disembarked at Melbourne on April 13th 1918.
Tree No. 1047