Charles Smith served with the Otago Infantry Regiment and was wounded during the costly and futile assault on Bellevue Spur on October 12, 1917. His location of his wound is not specified in his army record but it must have been relatively light as he spent only a month in hospital before rejoining the Otagos.
Back with them he was gassed in February, 1918, which resulted in a month and a half out of the line, after which he was promoted to Lance-corporal. He lost this rank a few months later as punishment for being absent from his billet behind the lines.
The day of Charles' death was a successful one for the Regiment, as described in its Official History.
"At 6 p.m. Canterbury improved the general situation in an attack launched behind artillery fire, Otago at the same time taking advantage of the opportunity to straighten its line. The enemy, who had held out during the day, now surrendered freely, having evidently been brought to the limits of their resistance. The captures effected by the 2nd Battalion over the day totalled 200 prisoners, one enemy tank, about 60 machine guns, three trench mortars, tank rifles and other material. Our own casualties were fairly heavy, but light compared with those of the enemy."
FOR KING AND COUNTRY.
DEATH.
SMITH. — On September 2nd, 1918, killed in action somewhere in France, Lance-corporal Charles Robert Smith (17th Reinforcements), beloved second son of James R. and Margaret Smith, 89 Grosvenor street, Kensington, and beloved grandson of Mr and Mrs James Purdie, Balfour street, N. E. Valley; aged 20 years.
He cheerfully did his duty. -Evening Star, 19/9/1918.
Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin.
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