Obituaries Australia

Greater praise for high character and worthy action could not be given to any Australian soldier than is contained in the tributes paid to the late Lieut. F. L. Smith by his superior officers in letters to his mother, Mrs. Lawrence Smith of Muswellbrook. Lieutenant-Colonel Marsh, OC., Major Munro, Captain Saunders, and Father Lonergan, officers and chaplain of his company, prove by their communications and messages of sympathy that the late soldier was one of Australia's best and bravest sons, whose memory should be ever revered in the district in which he was born and spent his boyhood. It has been truly said that the boy is father to the man, and in his early years when attending the Muswellbrook Convent School, the late Lieutenant Smith showed qualities that afterwards brought him distinction and general esteem. His parents have received scores of messages of sympathy from all parts or the Commonwealth, as well as from the battlefield of France, and the letter from Major Munro, which herewith follows Major McLean's official communication, shows how nobly a gallant officer can act towards the relatives of a brave lad whose worth he had learned to prize. Major McLean, officer in charge of Base Records, Melbourne, writing on the 3rd. Inst. to Mrs. Lawerence Smith, stated he had much pleasure in forwarding copy of extract from Fifth Supplement No. 30,645 to the London "Gazette,' relating to the conspicuous services rendered by Lieutenant F. L Smith M.C., M.M., 1st. Army Corps, and which is as follows:-"Lieutenant Francis Lawrence Smith, M.C., M M For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when engaged on for ward transport work during nine days' operations. On three occasions he had to halt his convoy owing to the road being blown up, and in spite of heavy shelling managed to repair the road with his own transport men and so enabled the convoy to proceed."

Major E. J. Munro, No. 1 Coy. 1st Australian Div. Train, A.I.F France writes:- It is my painful duty to in form you of the death of your dear son, Frank (Lieutenant F. L Smith , M.C., M.M.). He met his end by an enemy bomb from an aeroplane on the night of the 30th. June. He was so severely wounded that he passed away about 8 a.m. on the 1st. inst He was conscious when taken away from our camp and his last request to me was to write to you. His condition on arrival at the Casualty Clearing Station was so serious that the priest was sent for at once, and remained with him to the end. Early next day I accompanied the O.C. Lieutenant-Colonel Marsh, C.M.G. and two other officers in a car to see Frank, and was awfully shocked to find he had passed away that morning. I cannot adequately express my sympathy and that of my brother officers for you and yours in your sad bereavement. Frank was to us a brother, immensely popular with officers, N.C.O's and men. Brave and fearless, modest to an extreme and every inch a soldier. To me it was a sad shock, as I had known Frank for 10 or 12 years. He came away with us as a Sergeant in No. 2 Company served with distinction on Galllpoli Peninsula, where be was awarded the Military Medal. He also served with me as Company Sergeant on the western frontier of Egypt, and was made a lst-Class Warrant Officer soon after coming to France. A little later he was given his commission as a Lieutenant and has served much of his time with me as an officer in No. 1 Company, so I have had ample opportunity of observing him and knowing him. I cannot speak too highly of him as an officer and a gentleman. His death has been a sad blow to all of us, and a big loss to our train. He sleeps in the military cemetery at Longuenesse, near St. Omer, France We are placing a cross made by men of the company (by whom he was loved) above him, and I hope to be shortly able to procure a photo of his grave which I will send you. I have already posted all small things of sentimental value to you , including his Military Cross and Military Medal. All officers of the train, and many other officers, also a considerable number of N.C.O's and men attended his funeral. In conclusion I extend to you and yours the deepest sympathy of myself and brother officers, and trust that God in His goodness and mercy will comfort you in your dark hours, and that the knowledge that Frank died as a soldier doing his duty to his country will be some slight so lace to you."