Sydney Robert Smith (SN 2886) from Mt. Pleasant, was born in Ballarat and was a 29 year old horticulturist at the time of his enlistment on July 13th 1915. While he was in the early stages of training, his brother Albert was killed at Gallipoli. Initially posted to the 23rd Infantry Battalion, he embarked from Melbourne on board the Ulysses in October but soon after arriving in Egypt he was transferred to the 58th Battalion and then to the 14th Field Artillery Brigade. He then moved on to the battlefields of the Western Front where, on October 24th 1917, he was wounded in action, gassed. He recovered and served through the remainder of the war, being promoted to Sergeant in September 1918. In April 1919 he sailed from England on the Wyreema, bound for Australia, but at Suez he failed to reboard after a brief stopover and was subsequently charged with being absent without leave, drunkenness and being dressed in civilian clothes for which he was reduced to the rank of Corporal. He then completed his return to Australia on board the Kaiser Hind, disembarking at Melbourne on June 16th 1919. He was discharged a month later.

Lucas’s Staffs Appreciation of Brave Men, the original Avenue register, records his name as Robert S. Smith

One of a number of soldiers with multiple entries in the original register, he is also recognised at Tree 1352.