By CASEY NEILL
DANDENONG man Rod Tharle thought his great uncle had died on a World War I battlefield.
But just a few years ago he learnt that Private Walter Stanley Smith had not only survived – he’d returned to Australia and had two children.
Mr Tharle’s family has lived in the Dandenong area since 1864 and he is well-versed in its history.
The Smith side of the clan is more of a mystery, though.
“Trying to find Smiths, the unusual name that it is… ” he laughed.
Private Smith left Melbourne aboard HMAT Anchises A68 on 14 March 1916.
He served with the 2nd Field Ambulance and casualty records show he was gassed on five occasions within a month.
In France on 24 September 1917, he earned a Military Medal, awarded for acts of gallantry and devotion to duty under fire.
One ambulance bearer was killed and eight were wounded during a heavy enemy bombardment.
Private Smith heard of a wounded man in the lying in the under-fire Glencorse Wood and without hesitation went out and brought him back to the ambulance relay post at Clapham Junction.
“Apart from this conspicuous act of bravery, this man has throughout worked magnificently and been a stunning example to his comrades,” his award citation read.
