WW1 Neil Alfred Haworth Smart (88009)

Neil Alfred Haworth Smart was born 2 July 1890 in Auckland, the son of Alfred and Sarah Smart, of Clyde St., Epsom, Auckland.

Neil married Agnes Stewart Smart, (nee Ross) in 1913 and they lived at 29 Maurice (now Mauranui) Avenue, Remuera, Auckland. Prior to his enlistment, he was working as a Sanitary Inspector with the Auckland City Council.

He was balloted for military service and enlisted on 12 February 1918 as a Private was sent for military training at Featherston Camp which was New Zealand’s largest army training camp during the First World War, where around 60,000 men were trained for military service between 1916 and 1918. [1]

New Zealand was badly affected by the 1918 influenza epidemic and Featherston Camp suffered over 160 deaths, almost all in November 1918. Whilst at Camp, Neil became sick and died of broncho-pneumonia following influenza on 15 November 1918, aged 28.

He is buried in Featherston Cemetery, Western Lake Road, Featherston, Grave 621

He is remembered on the following memorials:
• St Luke’s Church, 130 Remuera Road, Remuera, Auckland Roll of Honour
• Featherston Cemetery Memorial, Featherston,
• Auckland War Memorial Museum, World War 1 Hall of Memories [2, 3]]

G Ralph
April 2020