TOPIC:

In the Greater Western suburb of Sydney, at the intersection of Memorial Av. and Macquarie Streets., Liverpool stands a Memorial to Private A.E.Smith, of the New South Wales Mounted Infantry. It is in the form of a lamp and (now non-functioning) fountain -


At this point, IL has to admit that when recently photographing the A.E.Smith Memorial with his little SONY, he inadvertently lopped off the lamp; and subsequently had to lift a better pic of the Memorial from the site of Monuments Australia. Hope they don't mind.

The A.E.Smith Monument has an inscription -


Erected by
The Residents of
Liverpool
To the memory of
Private A.E.Smith
Mounted Infantry
Died at Bloemfontein
30th May 1900
Aged 24 years.

Albert Edward Smith, a horse-breaker and noted show jumper of the day, enlisted as No.58 of A Squadron, N.S.W. Mounted Rifles for service in South Africa and - along with his unit - left for the front in November, 1899. In due course, Private Arthur Edward Smith earned the clasps "Relief of Kimberley", "Paardeburg" and "Driefontein" on his QSA medal. He contracted enteric fever and died on the indicated date at Bloemfontein. At this point, it perhaps appropriate to record that A Sqn, NSWMR suffered quite heavily from disease during their part in the campaign. Of 132 all-ranks, no less than 42 men required invaliding back to Australia - or even to the UK - for convalescence. That number of sick does not include battle casualties.
It is pleasant to record that, subsequently, Private Albert Edward Smith was not forgotten by the people of the district. While his memorial has had several relocations over the many decades since it's dedication on 16/9/1905, the Liverpool Municipal Council undertook to refurbish the Smith Memorial and permanently locate it in its present position. The Memorial was unveiled on 30th May, 2000. A Century to the day upon which Pte Albert Edward Smith of the NSWMR passed away.
Regards to all
IL.

I imagine you have posted a picture of the memorial over at Widsor at some stage.

British Memorial, Pres Brand Cemetery, Bloemfontein