Tasmanian War Casualties

WW1

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Smith, Reuben

Born Lower Barrington Tasmania the son of James Smith a labourer he embarked Sydney 11^th February 1915 on board “HMAT Seang Bee” with the 13^th Infantry Battalion.

He was killed in action 3^rd May 1915 on the Gallipoli Peninsula and is commemorated on the Lone Pine Memorial Gallipoli Turkey.

KILLED IN ACTION

MUCH DELAYED ADVICE.

On Monday night a wire from the Defence Department reached Devonport addressed to the Anglican rector conveying the dreaded intelligence: — 'Officially reported No. 1404 Private Reuben Smith I5th Battalion, killed in action on May 3,1915; previously reported missing Deepest sympathy and regret of King and Commonwealth Government and District Commandant in the loss sustained by them and the army.' Private Leonard Reuben Smith was the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. James Smith, of Eungella, Elizabeth Street, Devonport, .and formerly of Melrose. He was a fine stalwart young man, about 24 years of age and enlisted from New South Wales. The first tidings to cause uneasiness was a wire from the Defence authorities on July 2, 1915, stating that he was missing, and his parents would be advised should further information come to hand. In reply to numerous inquiries nothing authentic could be heard about the missing soldier, and one of his sisters, noticing reference to a somewhat similar case, wrote to the authorities, only to receive the disappointing reply that the other man was Corporal R L. Smith, with a different number, but he also enlisted from N.S. Wales; Private Reuben Smith had been reported missing since May 3. It is evident that he was killed in the same action as Private J. D. Milbourne, of East Devonport official news of whose death only came to hand last week. General sympathy will be felt for Mr. and Mrs. Smith in their time of sorrow following a prolonged period of suspense. The death of their soldier son only leaves them two sons living out of six.

North Western Advocate 17^th May 1916

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Tasmanian War Casualties, Honouring the past, building understanding.