7th weekly story is told of Ryde's Private Frederick Smart Service No. 669.

The story this week is a brief look at Private Frederick SMART who was killed at Messines in Flanders on Good Friday in 1918 (Not 1917 as published in story). In his soldiers' will, he made provision for his girlfriend, Dorothy Dickman, left at home in Moore Park to purchase a mourning ring should he die!

Fredrick was only 22 when he enlisted in February 1915, and served with the 19th Battalion in Egypt, Gallipoli, France and Belgium, He was the son of orchardist William Smart and his wife Harriet. Private Smart was employed by Meadowbank Manufacturing Company  and lived with his family at “Orangeville”  Parkes Street, Ryde at the time of his enlistment.

The Red Cross file  of enquiry into his death indicate evidence was given by his fellow  local soldiers including Corporal Sydney Alfred Burgess JONES (SRN 4457), of Western Crescent, Gladesville, and Lieutenant Reginald James FITZROY (SRN 1880), of Shepherd Street ,Ryde.

Week 7 : 12 November 2014 - The Northern District Times, page 27
Digger’s will request ensures love lives on
[if you click on the title -- it should take you to the on-line edition of the newspaper]

RYDE REMEMBERS - Remembrance Day 2014 in Ryde, NSW

The City of Ryde held its Remembrance Sunday Service at the Ryde Civic Hall on Sunday 9th November 2014.  

2014 Sunday Service
 Photo: S. Fielding-Smith

Some members of the Ryde Goes to War Project at the City of Ryde Sunday Service
L-R : Kim, Betty, Sabina, Margaret, Shirley, Helen.
Photo: S. Fielding-Smith

 The Poppy is the traditional symbol of Remembrance 

On Tuesday, 11 November 2014  Ryde Library Services will launch 

 '2,000 Poppies Project' 

at West Ryde Branch Library .

 The project hopes to create a field of 2,000 hand crafted red poppies as part of the Centenary of Anzac Tribute.

 More details on the project can be found on the City of Ryde  website :

2000 Popies Project

Gilbert Walters, a Bristiol born, railway porter from Meadowbank, NSW, who recieved the Military Medal, features in this week's Northern District Times article.

This week The Northern District Times continues to publish a brief outline of one of the stories of the men and women who served in the Great War from the Ryde District, This series commenced weekly in October 2014 and the stories have been researched for the 'Ryde Goes to War project'  by members of the Ryde District Historical Society and descendant families.

Week 6 : 5 November 2014 - The Northern District Times, page 26  is the story of young immigrant, Gilbert Walters. He had been in Australia for less than two years when he enlisted in the AIF and served gallantly in France with the 35th Battalion.

Wounded but kept on bringing in people
[if you click on the title -- it should take you to the on-line edition of the newspaper]

The story of Private John Robertson Forrest, who was lost in the battle of Fromelles is in this week's Northern Distict Times.

The remains of Private John Robertson Forrest, of 54th Battalion AIF were identified among the further nine Australians found at Fomelles and reinterred in July 2012. His story was also in earlier part of this blog in August 2012.

The Northern District Times continues to publish our stories in a series which commenced in October 2014. They are a brief outline of some of our 'Ryde Goes to War project' research on World War One service from the Ryde District.

Week 5 : 29 Oct 2014 - The Northern District Times, page 21  is the story of  Jack Forrest's life.  Born in Scotland the 20 year old had settled into life in our Ryde district prior to his enlistment in the AIF.  

Headstone comes as further sign of respect.
[if you click on the title -- it should take you to the on-line edition of the newspaper]