William Henry Smith was born in Maryborough, Victoria, was single and a Labourer living in Barkly Street, Ballarat when he enlisted with the 5th Battalion, 17th Reinforcement on 14 February 1915 at the age of 18. His unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A14 Euripides on 4 April 1916. He was admitted to the No 3 Com. Woolwich Hospital on 14 October 1916 for chronic bronchitis. On 25 April 1917 he proceeded overseas to France and re-joined his unit from Hospital. In August 1918 he was wounded in action with a gunshot wound to the left hand resulting in a fractured phalanx (fracture of the finger). He was invalided to the UK. He returned to Australia on 1 December 1918, receiving a full medical discharge from service on 30 May 1921.
Tree No. 2119