Ernest Robert Smith, S.A. Corps of Signals

This is a story about my grandfather, Ernest Robert Smith (Military No 289508) S.A. Corps of Signals. He lived in South Africa and fought with the British army. My grandmother is 93, Daphne Smith. She lives in Australia and sent a handwritten account of the story to her granddaughter.

My grandfather was sent to Madagascar from South Africa. The enemy opened fire on them as they landed and his left ear drum was damaged. He went to British Field hospital and was put on light duties as he healed. On his birthday (Christmas Day), he walked to the kitchen to ask for something to eat. He took a tin of peaches in syrup; it was the only food available.

His ear did not heal, and he was sent back to SA to be operated on. Then he was sent to Italy and Egypt to work as a signaller.

The original letter and photograph have already been copied, no need to enter into artefacts.

Army signallers took messages on motorbikes, received in morse code and delivered by hand to the recipient.

Once when performing his job in Italy, he came under enemy fire from the air. He pretended to fall over on his motorbike and lay on the ground as if he had been injured.