Individual Details

George Francis "Franklin" SMITH

(1 Jul 1874 - 24 Jun 1943)

Events

Birth	1 Jul 1874	Tomerong, New South Wales, Australia
Military	1899	a soldier in the Boer War. He was initially a private rising to sergeant, number 630 in the NSW Imperial Bushmen ('C' Coy), & was awarded the Queen's South Africa Medal + 5 clasps (CC, OFS, Tvl, Rhod & SA01)
News Pub (ind)	22 Sep 1900	the following article appeared in the Illawarra Mercury: "Corporal G. F. Smith at Mafeking" was a letter to his mother from Mafeking written August 13, 1900. It read:"Dear Mother, We are again in the wonderful little town of Mafeking, after 18 days heavy marching and fighting. On August 4 we heard continuous firing towards Elands River, and that evening some of our scouts were fired on. Next morning about 7 we set out, over 1200 strong, and as soon as we got in sight of the Boers they opened fire on us, to which our guns steadily replied, and for some hours a sort of artillery duel was kept up. After drawing the fire of the enemy, and acomplished the object of the reconnaissance, our troops retired in excellent order, under cover of the artillery. We reached camp just before sunset, and had started to water our horses and loot an orange orchard, when the enemy again opened fire on us, but we stuck to the orange trees till we got what we wanted, bullets whistling through the leaves all the time. We then rode quietly up the hill, the lead falling among us all the time. One horse was shot just beside me. The assalt was answered by our pom poms, and the Boers were driven off. The casualties of the day were nine wounded, with a lieutenant and two troopers taken prisoner. The following morning ten of us, under Lieutenant White, went out to meet a convoy expected from Zeerust with provisions, and when about two or three miles from camp we were fired upon by over 300 sharpshooters in ambush. I was within 150 yards of them, and bullets fell all around me like hail - most of them explosives too - but fortunately none of them hit either me or my horse. Our brigade luckily came up with their guns, and both the pom poms and 15-pounders showed out splendidly, completely raking many of our assailants positions. We eventually forced our way through them after some four hours' hot fighting, and marched to Zeerust, 30 miles, arriving there safely at 5 on Tuesday morning, having been in the saddle 22 hours. We have not lost many men so far considering the strong positions of the Transvaalers. Our men fought admirably and took things very coolly. Dear mother, I have not too much time to write, as we have to go out again at 1 o'clock. Give my love to all the old friends, and accept fondest love from Alec and your ever dutiful son"
Marriage	21 Jun 1905	Palmer St Presbyterian Church, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia - Annie Ellen GIBB
Marriage	1914	Ashfield, New South Wales, Australia - May SULLIVAN
Occupation	1928	Governor of Bathurst & later Goulburn Gaols
News Pub (ind)	25 Apr 1928	the Telegraph carried the following story: "Some weeks ago a distubance took place in Bathurst Gaol, but it was promptly quelled. The Governor of the gaol is Mr. George Smith, who is well known in Shoalhaven. He was born at Tomerong, and partyicipated in the Boer War. On his return he was appointed a warder in the Prison Department, made a study of the finger-print system, and met with rapid promotion. He was for a time in charge of the Saftsbury Home for Inebriates at Vaucluse, and gained a reputation for his kindly treatment of unforunates. When Governor of Parramatta Gaol he also was distinguished for his humanitarian treatment of prisoners, and since his appointment to Bathurst Gaol he has set his face against harshness of discipline. This, it is alleged, caused friction on more than one occasion with other officials, who believe in sterner methods of preserving discipline in the gaols. The Comptroller-General of Prisons, Mr. Hinchey, has suspended Mr. Smith from duty as the result of inquiries made by hiom regarding the recent disturbance, and an inquiry will be held during the week by the Public Service Board into the administration of affairs at bathurst gaol. Many old friends in the district will follow the inquiry with interest"
Death	24 Jun 1943	4 Nea St, Chatswood, New South Wales, Australia
Burial	26 Jun 1943	Northern Suburbs Cremetorium (Christian Science Section),

Families

Spouse	Annie Ellen GIBB (1878 - 1909)
Child	Robert Franklin SMITH (1908 - 1989)
Child	Marionette Louise Gibb SMITH (1909 - 1990)

Spouse	May SULLIVAN (1887 - 1968)
Child	George Charles Ivan SMITH (1915 - 1995)
Child	Lois Eadrith SMITH (1917 - 2003)
Child	John Barker Ivan SMITH (1919 - 1945)

Father	William SMITH (1835 - 1892)
Mother	Elizabeth "Eliza" BARKER (1833 - 1905)
Sibling	William Alfred SMITH (1856 - 1924)
Sibling	Margaret Alison SMITH (1859 - 1869)
Sibling	John Barker SMITH (1861 - 1926)
Sibling	Elizabeth SMITH (1862 - 1908)
Sibling	Thomas Buchanan SMITH (1864 - 1902)
Sibling	Mary Jane SMITH (1867 - 1923)
Sibling	Alexander Barker SMITH (1869 - 1937)
Sibling	Arthur Joseph SMITH (1871 - 1944)
Sibling	Robert James SMITH (1876 - 1918)

Endnotes