| Accession Number | P08736.001 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Photograph |
| Object type | Digital file |
| Maker |
Poulsen Studios |
| Place made | Australia: Queensland, Brisbane |
| Date made | 1915 |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
Studio portrait of 1 Regimental Sergeant Major John Lyall Smith, 25th Battalion, of Ayr, Qld; ...
Description
Studio portrait of 1 Regimental Sergeant Major John Lyall Smith, 25th Battalion, of Ayr, Qld; originally of Aberdeen, Scotland. A mason prior to enlisting on 7 February 1915, John Lyall Smith had served eighteen months with the Gordon Highlanders and four years with the Scottish Horse prior to coming to Australia. Given the rank of Regimental Sergeant Major at enlistment, he embarked with the 25th Battalion, Pioneers, from Brisbane onboard HMAT Aeneas (A60) on 29 June 1915. He arrived for service at Gallipoli on 4 September 1915 and was promoted to the rank of Second Lieutenant (2nd Lt) on 3 November 1915. 2nd Lt Smith arrived in France for service on the Western Front on 19 March 1916 and on 3 June 1916 he was awarded the Military Cross (MC) for "gallant services" at Gallipoli. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant (Lt) on 25 July 1916 and was killed in action at Pozieres, France, on 29 July 1916. Lt Smith MC was 30 years of age.