SMITH, William Forbes

William was a twenty six year old Labourer at Inverell when he enlisted at Liverpool NSW in July 1915.  He was born at Rayne, Insch, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, to Mrs. Isobella McGregor. It is not known when he came to Australia.

William joined the 30th Battalion, D Company, and sailed from Australia on the ship HMAT A72 Beltana in November 1915.  He arrived at Suez, Egypt in December and remained there until he was sent to France in March 1916.  He was wounded in action in December 1917 and treated in hospital in England for a Bayonet wound to his chest.  After several months recuperating he returned to France in April 1918.  Three weeks later he was gassed and subsequently died on 15 May 1918.

Private William Smith was buried at Vignacourt British Cemetery, France.  His war medals were forwarded to his mother in Scotland.

William has his name recorded on the Rayne War Memorial in Scotland. At Inverell his name is inscribed on the town’s Honor Roll and in 1919 he was one of the men for whom a memorial tree was planted in Kurrajong Parade.