Studio portrait of Captain Ross Macpherson Smith who was a 21 year old warehouseman from ...

Studio portrait of Captain Ross Macpherson Smith who was a 21 year old warehouseman from Gilberton, South Australia when he enlisted on 19 August 1914. He embarked for overseas as a Sergeant (service number 217) with the 3rd Light Horse Regiment from Adelaide on 22 October 1914 aboard HMAT Port Lincoln. While serving at Gallipoli he was promoted to Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) and then appointed a Second Lieutenant. On 1 March 1916 he was appointed Lieutenant and after serving with the machine gunners was transferred to the Australian Flying Corps (AFC). During 1917 he was wounded in action twice and was promoted to Captain on 29 November 1917. His various actions earned him a Military Cross (MC), a bar to the MC, a Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), a bar to the DFC, and an Air Force Cross. He returned to Australia by air with his brother Keith [see image P07159.036] becoming the first pilot to successfully fly from England to Australia. On 26 December 1919 he was made a Knight Commander of the Civil Division of the Order of the British Empire for this history making flight. He was also awarded the Order of the Narda by the King of Hejaz on 1 April 1920. His appointment in the AIF was terminated on 23 May 1920. One of 131 photographs displayed on an honour board showing members of the Adelaide Rowing Club who enlisted for active service in the First World War. The original is held by the Adelaide Rowing Club who kindly loaned the board to the Australian War Memorial for copying.