Cormack Peter SMITH
Per his military service record (Depot), Cormack Peter Smith was born at Katoomba, N.S.W.[1] He gave his age as 30 years and 6 months, his marital status as single, and his occupation as labourer. His description on his Certificate of Medical Examination was height 5 feet 9 inches tall, weight 140 lbs., with a dark complexion, hazel eyes, and black hair. His religious denomination was Roman Catholic. He claimed that he had no previous military service.
His next of kin was recorded on his Attestation Paper as his mother, Mrs Ellen Smith, Katoomba, N.S.W.
He completed his medical examination on 5th November 1915 at Katoomba. He was attested in Katoomba on the same day.
After completing the Coo-ee March he went to Liverpool Camp as reinforcement for the 13th Battalion.
On 24th November 1915 Private Smith was charged with Not on List but Present in Camp. He was fined one day’s pay.
On 9th January 1916 Private Smith was charged with desertion. A note on the charge record in his military service record noted ‘Deserves punishment but had an invalided family to look after’.
The New South Wales Police Gazette recorded that ‘Cormack Peter Smith, military deserter, had been arrested by Katoomba Police, and handed over to the military authorities.[2]
On 10th March 1916 Private Smith was discharged Services no Longer Required.
[1] NAA: B2455, SMITH C. P.
[2] Apprehensions. (1916, March 15). New South Wales Police Gazette and Weekly Record of Crime (Sydney : 1860 – 1930), p. 152. Retrieved August 14, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article251742718
1915 Coo-ee March 