Adelaide – Army Museum of South Australia

Ross Smith left Adelaide in 1914 with the 3rd Light Horse and technically remained in the Army throughout WWI, because the Australian Flying Corps (although the only independent flying corps of all British dominions) remained under Australian Imperial Force command.

He landed at Gallipoli in May 1915 and also fought in the Battle of Romani before joining the AFC as an observer in late 1916. By war’s end he was one of Australia’s most decorated airmen, according to the Australian War Memorial. The Army Museum of South Australia, located within Keswick Barracks on Anzac Highway, features photographs, the original 3rd Light Horse Headquarters Flag and Ross Smith’s Colt .38 revolver.

: Ross Smith’s Colt .38 revolver.

: The original 3rd Light Horse Headquarters Flag.

: Australian Flying Corps flag displayed at the museum.

: Tivoli Theatre “Welcome Home” program from 23 March 1920, showing the two flags under which Ross Smith fought: the 3rd Light Horse and the Australian Flying Corps. You might notice the aircraft is not the Vimy – perhaps because the artist had never seen the plane or an image of it. SLSA [PRG 18/34/6]

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Adelaide – Army Museum of South Australia