Studio portrait of 1703 Private Oliver Naismith, 56th Battalion from Boree Creek in the Riverina ...

Studio portrait of 1703 Private Oliver Naismith, 56th Battalion from Boree Creek in the Riverina district of NSW. A 21 year old farmer prior to enlisting on 9 March 1916, he embarked for overseas service with the 2nd Reinforcements from Sydney, NSW aboard HMAT Ceramic (A40) on 14 April 1916. After disembarking in England, he later proceeded to France in September. He was wounded in action on the Somme on 1 November 1916 and after receiving medical treatment, returned to his battalion two days later. Four days after being promoted to Lance Corporal (L Cpl) on 1 February 1917, he was taken ill and sent to hospital. L Cpl Naismith returned to the 56th Battalion on 19 March and was killed in action at Louverval, France on 2 April 1917. Although buried near where he fell, his grave could not be located after the war and he is commemorated on the Australian National Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux, France with others who have no known grave.