Informations sur naissance

Date de naissance:
29/11/1892
Lieu de naissance:
Ireland, Irlande, Royaume-Uni

Informations générales

Profession:
Agriculteur

Informations service militaire

Pays:
New Zealand
Force armée:
New Zealand Expeditionary Force
Rang:
Rifleman
Numéro de service:
55633
Incorporation date:
09/05/1917
Incorporation nom de lieu:
Ashburton, Canterbury, New Zealand
Unités:
 —  New Zealand Rifle Brigade, 1st Bn.  (Dernière unité connue)

Informations sur décès

Date de décès:
07/12/1917
Lieu de décès:
Polderhoek, Belgique
Cause du décès:
Killed in action (K.I.A.)
Âge:
25

Cimetière

Polygon Wood Cemetery
Parcelle: Inconnu
Rangée: F
Tombe: 10

Distinctions et médailles 2

British War Medal
Médaille
Victory Medal
Médaille

Points d'intérêt 3

#1 Lieu de naissance
#2 Lieu d'enrôlement
#3 Lieu du décès (approximatif)

Mon histoire

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.

Fichiers 2

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 utilisées
Auckland Cenotaph
https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/C14750?n=Smyth%2055633&ordinal=0&from=%2Fwar-memorial%2Fonline-cenotaph%2Fsearch
Sources utilisées
CWGC
https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/480072/smyth,-john/
Sources utilisées
NZEF Project
https://nzef.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=239514
Sources utilisées
Service Records
http://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE18435627
Sources utilisées
The Long, Long Trail
https://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/
Sources utilisées