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Frederick William Smidt - Information

Frederick William Smidt was born in Campbelltown c1897. When the war began, he was living in Breadalbane and working as a farm hand. After Frederick turned 18, he wanted to join the army. His father, Charles, consented, and Frederick travelled to Goulburn to enlist in the AIF on the 27th of April 1916. In September, during training, he was made a Private with the 7th Reinforcements, 56th Battalion. He was then shipped overseas from Sydney onboard the HMAT Ascanius on the 25th of October 1916.

Frederick arrived in Devonport, England at the end of December. He was then marched into the 14th Training Battalion at Hurdcott. However, the very cold English winter affected Frederick's health. At the end of January, he was admitted to hospital with influenza. He required extensive treatment and was moved from hospital to a Convalescence Depot. He then went before a medical review board due to his poor health and continuing debility. Frederick had lost weight and his lungs had evidence of consumption. He had been suffering with influenza since Goulburn Training Camp with the infection intensifying with the ocean journey, English winter and strenuous exercises. As a result, Frederick was declared medically unfit and was sent back to Australia on the HT Barambah in April 1917.