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australian rowers profiles and history

Arthur E ("Gig") Smedley

Sydney Rowing Club (NSW)


1919 – The Kings Cup for Allied Eights, cox –1st 

1919 - Inter-Allied Games, cox, 2nd

Life member of Sydney Rowing Club

The AIF rowing contingent at Henley in 1919 - Smedley standing fifth from the right

War record

Enlisted August 1915 into Field Ambulance

22nd Field Artillery 1916

4th Field artillery – 1917/18

Enlisted August 1915

Pozieres MID

Menin Road

Passchendaele

Mont St Quentin

Hindenberg Line

Albert “Gig” Smedley, was a member of both Sydney Rowing Club, and Sydney University. He served during the war in an artillery brigade and reached the rank of sergeant. He was mentioned in despatches for gallantry at Pozieres.

Prior to the war, Albert was a signwriter. After the war, ‘Gig’ worked as a taxi driver and later for the Electricity Board as their chief sign‐writer and artist. 

He was regarded by his family as ‘one of nature’s true gentlemen.’

His death was noted in the 1965-66 Sydney Rowing Club annual report.

Andrew Guerin
December 2020

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