A FINE RECORD.

Taihape Daily Times, 25 January 1919, Page 4

A FINE RECORD.

Among the many fine family records during the war now happily ended that of the Smith family of Taihape deserves mention. Four brothers, Eric, Frank, Herman and Ralph Smith enlisted in the early stages of the war. Two, Frank and Herman, were killed in the Somme battle, and Erie and Ralph were wounded. Eric Smith, who arrived back homo last week, enlisted in the Main Body, holding the rank of acting-sergeant. He was through all the strenuous times at Gallipoli, and eventually left for Prance. He took part in all the important engagements in which the New Zealand Division participated, and was so highly thought of by his superior officers that he was given a commission as second-lieutenant. By the peculiar irony of fate he passed through all the major engagements unscathed, only to be seriously wounded in the shoulder in the great “push” initiated by General Foeh, which finally led .Ho the overthrow of the Huns by the conclusion of the armistice. A peculiar coincidence is that he left in the Maunganui with the Main Body, and returned to New Zealand by the same vessel. He is staying at present with his sister, Mrs. Marsh, wife of Mr H. Marsh, of the Taihape Engineering Works, Previous to enlisting, Lieutenant Smith was a promiment member of the Taihape Municipal Board, and his many friends among the old bandsmen will be pleased to hear of his return. Frank and Herman Smith soon fol- - their brother to take part in the Empire’s battles, but unfortunately made the supreme sacrifice at the bloody battle of the Somme. Both young fellows were well-known in Taihape, and were deservedly popular on account of their many sterling qualities.

The fourth brother, Ralph, enlisted from Taumarunui, where he was working, and saw some hard fighting in the strenuous times through which the New Zealand Division passed. He was wounded severely and is at present in a convalescent hospital in England. Mrs. Marsh has every reason to he proud of the splendid record achieved by her family.