SMALE, Arthur and Alfred

Arthur and Alfred were the sons of Alfred and Agnes Smale who were living at Dinton Vale near Inverell during World War 1.

Arthur, aged twenty-two, had been a member of the Dinton Vale Rifle Club before he enlisted in Sydney in August 1914. He joined the 1st Light Horse Regiment, A Squadron and departed Australia for Egypt on HMAT A16 Star of Victoria in October 1914. He served at Gallipoli and Beersheba and was appointed Corporal in April 1916. He returned to Australia in 1919 and was medically discharged in January 1920. After the war he married and lived in Sydney until his death in 1968. Arthur’s name is inscribed on the Inverell Honor Roll.

After three rejections, Alfred enlisted at Inverell in October 1917 when he was twenty-one. He was Secretary and Deputy Captain of the Dinton Vale Rifle Club which organised a formal farewell and presentation for him prior to his departure for war service. He joined the Engineering Field Companies, General Reinforcements and sailed from Australia for England on HMAT A54 Runic in March 1918. He was sent to France in July 1918 with the 5th Machine Gun Battalion. Alfred returned to Australia in 1919. The residents of Dinton Vale organised a Welcome Home for him at the local hall and he was presented with medals in appreciation for his service.

After the war, Arthur and Alfred’s father made the timber carved Dinton Vale and Graman Honor Rolls.