Lance Corporal Charles Vernon Jason

Charles Vernon Jason was born in 1895 at Kangaroo Flat to Thomas Henry and Clara Elizabeth Jason, nee Waters.

He enlisted on May 28, 1915, and was issued service number 2399, serving with the 57th Battalion.

He was killed in action on August 13, 1916, in France.

Lance Corporal Jason is remembered at Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery, Souchez, Arras, Nord Pas de Calais, France.

Clara Jason stated on her son's army circular that he was a prisoner of war when he was killed in action.

The Nominal Roll records state died of wounds with a later date.

Source: Bev Hanson 

Captain Richard (Dick) Godfrey Smith

Captain Richard Godfrey Smith served with the 21st Infantry Battalion. He enlisted in March 1915 and embarked from Melbourne on May 10, 1915, per HMAT Ulysses A38.

Richard held the rank of 2nd Lieutenant at that time.

His brother, Harold, was also aboard the Ulysses and was also both on board HMAT Southland at the time it was torpedoed.

He served in Egypt and was on Gallipoli at the time of evacuations.

Captain R.C. Smith was killed in action on August 28, 1916, at Pozieres on the same day as his brother, Harold, and is remembered at Pozieres British Cemetery Ovillers-La Boisselle, Pozieres, Picardie, France.

Richard was aged 32 and a coach builder at the time of his enlistment.

His address was "Kio ora" Murtoa.

His next of kin was his wife, Mrs Smith of the same address.

Richard had been born in 1883 at Richmond to Richard Christopher Hailes and Maria Louisa Smith, nee Godfrey, and married Ellen Ruby Freeman in 1910.

Ellen remarried twice, the first time in 1920 and again in 1926 before her death in 1971 at Balwyn aged 86 years.

The Bendigonian, Thursday, November 16, 1916:

The supreme sacrifice; captains H. and R.G. Smith; eulogies by officers and men

Mr and Mrs. R.C.H. Smith of Holmes's Road, who lost three sons in the war, have received several letters conveying fuller particulars of the battle in France in which the gallant soldiers fell.

A letter received by the widow of Captain Harold Smith from Private Oliver. J. Hull states: Captain Harold Smith was with me at the time of his death. 

I wish to express my deep sympathy with you. If you knew what I saw of him before he died you would feel more than proud of having such a husband.

We were advancing towards the enemy's trench, and about to get in, when they started bombing us, and finding our position rather weak, we went back to a shell hole, and when about to take cover he was hit with a bullet and died in a few minutes.

He was a good leader, and we miss him very much.

Quartermaster Sergeant Walter Harris writes: "Your husband, Captain H. Smith, was second in command, and was a fine fellow, and highly respected and admired by everyone. 

He was fearless and brave.

When the news came that he had made the great sacrifice, there was general regret in camp.

I am told that he was caught by machine gun fire, and was killed instantaneously.

He now lies buried with many other brave heroes on the glorious battle field of Pozieres.

It is I realise a terrible blow to you, but nevertheless, Mrs Smith, such an end as his is really magnificent - to die fearless in the cause of his country and religion, and in the uniform of his king.

The Bendigonian, Thursday, November 16, 1916:

Writing to Mrs R.G. Smith, widow of Captain R.G. Smith, from a hospital in France, Captain A.R. McNeil states: I was within two yards of Captain Smith when he fell, and I got off with only a few splinters in the legs.

Captain Smith was the officer commanding the attack, which we carried out on Saturday morning, August 26.

He was observing the operations from a point of vantage when he was hit about 9.30am. He was subsequently buried in the quarry 200 yards south-west of Mouquet Farm.

Your husband died doing his duty and was highly esteemed by his colleagues.

Lieut. R. Smitheram writes: "I saw some of the boys next morning, and the first thing they told me was about Captain R.G. Smith's death, and a little later I heard of the death of Captain Harold Smith.

They went over the parapets about half an hour before dawn on Saturday morning, and had a very hard fight, but reached their objective and held it.

They put up a grand fight, and their work is the admiration of everyone.

The major told me that Captain R.G. Smith was doing splendid work, and had just given a message to the commanding officer when a shell burst right alongside him, killing him instantaneously.

He was buried in a shell crater close by. It was a short distance north of Pozieres, near Mouquet Farm.

Your husband was looked upon by all who knew him as a fine officer and a gallant soldier, and that he died a hero's death in his country's cause will be some consolation to you and help to bear your heavy burden.

Private Alexander Whyte, the late Captain R.G. Smith's orderly, wrote to Mrs. Smith as follows: "What a stroke of fate! Wally first wounded, and now both brothers killed together.

They died leading their men in a charge.

They were very much attached to each other, hardly a day passing without one visiting the other.

How I will get along after being with him so long I don't know, nor do I care much now.

Dear Mrs Smith, accept deepest sympathy from one who knew him so well."

Source:  Bev Hanson, with assistance from Greta Balisillie

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