Rfn
John Smyth
Information about birth
|
Date of birth: 29/11/1892 |
|
Place of birth: Ireland, Ireland, United Kingdom |
General information
|
Profession: Farmer |
Army information
|
Country: New Zealand |
|
Force: New Zealand Expeditionary Force |
|
Rank: Rifleman |
|
Service number: 55633 |
|
Enlistment date: 09/05/1917 |
|
Enlistment place: Ashburton, Canterbury, New Zealand |
|
Units: — New Zealand Rifle Brigade, 1st Bn. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
|
Date of death: 07/12/1917 |
|
Place of death: Polderhoek, Belgium |
|
Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
|
Age: 25 |
Cemetery
|
Polygon Wood Cemetery Plot: Unknown Row: F Grave: 10 |
Distinctions and medals 2
|
British War Medal Medal |
|
Victory Medal Medal |
Points of interest 3
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Enlistment place | ||
| #3 | Place of death (approximate) |
My story
John Smyth served in the 1st Battalion, 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade, New Zealand Division. He was the son of John and Lizzie Robinson, originating from Ireland.
The New Zealand Division was in the Polygon Wood area, after the end of the Third Battle of Ypres. Much of the time was spent in wiring, repairing crumbling trenches and improving defences. The landscape was covered with waterlogged shell holes. The opposing German forces generally held higher ground and movement in the New Zealand lines was often observed and shelled or machine-gunned.
The Division relieved the 21st Division from 13th November, when the 3rd (NZ Rifle Brigade) and 4th NZ Infantry Brigades took over the front line. On 1st December the NZ Rifle Brigade relieved the 4th Infantry Brigade in the Becelaere Sector, with the 1st Battalion ( John’s unit) relieving the 3rd Otago Battalion. The brigade headquarters was at the Polygon Butte.
On 3 December part of 2nd Brigade attacked Polderhoek Chateau, with limited success and heavy casualties. The Rifle Brigade history does not offer much detail on this period so it is difficult to say how John, aged 24, died on 7 December 1917. There were heavy snow storms during the time.
His body was recovered and he, along with others from the New Zealand Rifle Brigade, is buried at Polygon Wood Cemetery. He is in Row F, Grave 10.
The New Zealand Division was in the Polygon Wood area, after the end of the Third Battle of Ypres. Much of the time was spent in wiring, repairing crumbling trenches and improving defences. The landscape was covered with waterlogged shell holes. The opposing German forces generally held higher ground and movement in the New Zealand lines was often observed and shelled or machine-gunned.
The Division relieved the 21st Division from 13th November, when the 3rd (NZ Rifle Brigade) and 4th NZ Infantry Brigades took over the front line. On 1st December the NZ Rifle Brigade relieved the 4th Infantry Brigade in the Becelaere Sector, with the 1st Battalion ( John’s unit) relieving the 3rd Otago Battalion. The brigade headquarters was at the Polygon Butte.
On 3 December part of 2nd Brigade attacked Polderhoek Chateau, with limited success and heavy casualties. The Rifle Brigade history does not offer much detail on this period so it is difficult to say how John, aged 24, died on 7 December 1917. There were heavy snow storms during the time.
His body was recovered and he, along with others from the New Zealand Rifle Brigade, is buried at Polygon Wood Cemetery. He is in Row F, Grave 10.
Sources 6
|
"The Official History of the New Zealand Rifle Brigade (The Earl of Liverpool's Own)", Austin W.S., East-Sussex: The Naval & Military Press Ltd., 2007, page 255 - 258 Sources used |
|
Auckland Cenotaph https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/C14750?n=Smyth%2055633&ordinal=0&from=%2Fwar-memorial%2Fonline-cenotaph%2Fsearch Sources used |
|
CWGC https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/480072/smyth,-john/ Sources used |
|
NZEF Project https://nzef.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=239514 Sources used |
|
Service Records http://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE18435627 Sources used |
|
The Long, Long Trail https://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/ Sources used |