People Australia

James Taylor Vinton Smith, n.d. photographer unknown

from Bank of NSW Roll of Honour

JAMES TAYLOR VINTON SMITH, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ladyman Smith, of Mitcham, South Australia, was born on 3rd November, 1897, at Parkside, South Australia, and received his education at Adelaide High School. He joined the service of the Bank on 25th April, 1915, at Adelaide.

James Taylor Vinton Smith enlisted in the A.I.F. at Adelaide, on 1st February, 1916, and attained the rank of lieutenant on 1st March, 1917. He saw active service in France, and was mentioned in Australian Corps Orders in October, 1918. On 17th October, 1918, he was awarded the Military Cross for conspicuous bravery. The following is an extract from the Second Supplement, No. 31,680, to the “London Gazette” :—

“For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on 17th October, 1918, at the capture of the high ground east of La Selle River. His battery occupied a position 1,000 yards in rear of the front line, and suffered many casualties from machine-gun and artillery fire. The battery commander and another officer both wounded, he took charge, and supervising the removal of the wounded, handled the battery most capably until its task was completed.”