SMITH'S CAREER

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 376, 9 June 1928, Page 1

SMITH'S CAREER

FINE WAR SERVICE Captain Charles Edward Kingsford Smith was born at Brisbane on February 9, 1597, and educated at Sydney. He entered the service of the Colonial Sugar Refining Company, Ltd., in 1913. In February of 1915 he enlisted, and as a sapper in a signal company of Australian engineers served in Gallipoli for the three months prior to the evacuation; also as a corporal and ser-

geant dispatch rider in France. He was present at many engagements from March, 1916, onwards. In May of 1917 he received his commission in the Royal Flying Corps, and took part in much fighting in the air during the remainder of that year, being promoted lieutenant. Captain Kingsford Smith was awarded the Military Cross for “bold and valuable service” at Ypres, when, though attacked by three hostile machines and severely wounded, he regained the British lines with important information. Later he became acting flight commander in the Royal Air Force, and was employed on instructional duty. His brother is in the Royal Australian Navy and served on H.M.A.S. Sydney on the occasion of the memorable encounter with the Emden.