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Robert Smith CMG, DSO, C de G (1881-1928)

His father's death was reported by the the Herald Newspaper in July 1928:
'The funeral of Brigadier-General Robert Smith, C.M.G., D.S.O and Bar, C de G., V.D., A.D.C., to the Governor-General, which took place at the Eastern Cemetery this afternoon, was one of the largest seen in this district.

The burial was carried out with full military honors. The Queenscliff Garrison Artillery Band and St. Augustine's Band were in attendance and also a firing party of the Queenscliff Garrison Artillery. Members of the permanent forces marched with arms reversed. The Rev. Alex Simms, of St. David's Presbyterian Church, Newtown, conducted a service at the house, "Mossgiel", Noble street, Newtown, and later at the graveside. The General, who was 46, was a spectator at the Geelong - Melbourne football match on Saturday, when he was seized with a heart attack, and died at 9 p.m., on Saturday. He left a widow, two daughters and one son.'


The Geelong Advertiser newspaper on 16 July 1928 also published an obituary:
'Death Follows Seizure Distinguished Soldier Collapses At Corio Oval. Brigadier-General Robert Smith died at his home in Noble Street about nine o'clock on Saturday night. He was 46 years of age, and his death, which followed a seizure at Corio Oval, comes as a shock to the community, for he was a man of commanding physique and forceful personality, possessing all the qualities of a leader.

The funeral, which will leave his late residence in Noble Street for the Eastern Cemetery at a quarter to three o'clock this afternoon, will be attended by full military honors, this decision having: been reached at a hastily-convened meeting of the Military Board of Victoria.

Deep sympathy is extended to the late soldier's widow, his two daughters, his son, and his aged parents who came to Geelong from their home in Melbourne yesterday.

The General was a spectator at the Geelong - Melbourne football match Corio Oval on Saturday afternoon, and occupied a position in front of the "Brownlow-Young" Stand. During the first quarter of the match he mentioned that he was not feeling well, but as he did not complain to any appreciable degree, and as he obviously desired to see the remainder of the game In which he was taking keen interest, his friends were not alarmed. Just after the final bell marked the conclusion of an exciting few minutes, it was plain that he was suffering from a seizure, and Dr. Piper, his family physician, who was at the oval, was quickly summoned. The doctor obtained the services of an ambulance and conveyed the General to his home, where he died about nine o'clock.

Some time last year Dr. Piper urged Brigadier-Genera! Smith to give up business activities on account of his health, but a love of his work kept him busy.

The deceased military leader was educated at Scotch College, Melbourne, and won fame for his prowess in the field of athletics and sport generally. For many years his family has been prominently connected with the wool scouring industry at Abbotsford.

In 1915 he went to the war as a Major in the A.I.F., being Second-in-Command of a battaIion in one of the brigades of the Second Division. He saw active service on Gallipoli, in Egypt, and in France, and rose by a series of promotions to the rank of Brigadier-General, and ultimately was given high command, becoming Commander of the Fifth Brigade of the A.I.F. He received the following decorations: - C.M.G., D.S.O. and bar, Croix de Guerre, V.D., and later was appointed Aide-de-Camp to the Governor General.

Returning to Australia in 1918, Brigadier-General Smith came to Geelong and established himself in business as a wool merchant and wool scourer at Marnock Vale. He was managing director of the Phoenix Company Proprietary Limited, and was the sole proprietor of the Australian Wool Scouring Works. For some years he was chairman of directors of the Geelong Returned Soldiers' Mill, which position he relinquished recently. A few years ago he occupied the position of president of the Geelong Cricket and Football Club, and, during the whole of his residence in Geelong, he greatly helped the club by providing employment for footballers. The club had no more practical supporter than the General. It was a coincidence that another former president of the club, in the person of Dr Piper, should be called to his aid amidst surroundings that were so well known to both of them. General Smith was a keen yachtsman and the flag at the clubhouse of the Royal Geelong Yacht Club flew at half-mast yesterday.

With the cessation of war, the military activities of Brigadier-General Smith did not end. For five years afterwards he was the Commander of the Second Infantry Brigade, of which the Geelong Battalion forms part. Occupying this high command in the Australian Military forces, he had charge of several encampments at Seymour.

Military staff officers who were early informed of the passing of their comrade, were deeply moved. The Military Board of Victoria assembled at short notice, the meeting being convened by Major-General J. H. Bruche. As a result, Lieutenant-Colonel Neil M. Freeman was asked to make local arrangements for a full military funeral, pending the arrival this morning of a representative of the Board.

The funeral will be conducted with complete ceremonial, and proceedings will he marked with impressive dignity. The band of the Permanent Artillery at Queenscliff will attend, together with a firing party from the fort, members of which will march with arms reversed. The gun carriage with all its equipment is also to be brought from Queenscliff, and on the carriage, which will be horse-drawn, will be borne the coffin draped with the Union Jack, while in all probability during the funeral procession the late soldier's decorations will rest on the coffin. Officers of the permanent military staff have intimated that they will be in attendance.

The Geelong A-G.A, and the 23rd Infantry Battalion (City of Geelong Regiment) will be represented amongst the detachments participating. The procedure in military funerals is for senior branches and ranks of the service to march last, thus reversing ordinary practice. Employees of the deceased citizen will take part in the funeral, while arrangements have been made for members of the Geelong Returned Soldiers' Club to march. The secretary (Mr. W. B. Brown) yesterday secured the services of St. Augustine's Band to assist his members in the part to be played by them in to-day's ceremonies.'


Melbourne's Argus newspaper announced an application for probate of Robert Smith's will in October 1928; Geelong Advertiser 8 September 1928 p16 (Advertisement).

'The will of Mr. Robert Rennie Smith, formerly of Mossgiel, New street. Middle Brighton, but late of Mossgiel, Noble Street, Newtown, Geelong, wool merchant, was lodged for probate on Saturday. He left real estate of a gross value of £17,320, and personal property of a gross value of £97,071, to his wife and children. The personal estate includes shares in the Pheonix Wool Co. Pty. Ltd., valued at £15,000. and wool valued at £80,015/3/9.

He appointed his wife, Mrs. Eliza Caroline Smith, of Newtown, Geelong, and Mr, Robert Short, of The Olderfleet, Collins sStreet, Melbourne, woolbroker, to be the executrix and executor of his will. The applicant for probate is Mrs. Smith, but leave is reserved to Mr. Short to come in and prove at any time. At the time of the intimation that it was intended to apply for probate Mr. Short was absent abroad. Mr. Smith died on July 14, 1928. His will is dated April 8, 1915.'