Eighty years after her grandfather’s death, Noosa author Lian Knight has uncovered the real story of the Victoria Cross-winning WWI war hero and will release it this week in a book, Ratbag, Soldier, Saint – The real story of Sergeant Issy Smith VC, in the lead up to Anzac Day.
“Issy’s life was extraordinary and always shrouded in mystery, yet almost nothing written about him was consistent,“ Lian said.
“The press varied his name, his age, his place of birth, where he lived and what he did.“
Born in Egypt to Polish Orthodox Jewish parents who were both French citizens, Issy’s life includes stories of stowing away aboard a boat to London, aged 11, and emerging from poverty, delivering fish before dawn in London’s East End in the markets and laneways of Jack the Ripper’s local haunts, before joining the army at just 13.
In Australia when World War 1 broke out, Issy Smith was recalled to the British Army and despatched to the Western Front where, gassed, bombed and working against remarkable odds, he saved the lives of many, and was awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest award for valour.
Having been a member of the Imperialist Reservists in the UK before coming to Australia he was not allowed to wear an Australian uniform. He returned to the Imperialist Force to serve during the war.
He became legendary, gaining medals and escaping death on numerous occasions. But averse to authority, he was a military superior’s nightmare.
Lian said Issy couldn’t abandon his fellow soldiers during battles and would stop fighting to help them, returning after dark to seek out and bring back injured mates.
Famous for his bravery and kindness to his fellow man, he returned to Australia after the war.
Being a Jewish man enlisted in the UK, Lian could find only a little of his war story in the Jewish and Australian War museums.
During her research, she uncovered more than 2000 newspaper articles about him, and though a mix of truth and fantasy, she was able to use them to track his movements.
While he was a patient after his gassing, a nurse put together a scrapbook of his newspaper clippings and, along with family stories, she was able to get an idea of what he did at that time.
After the war Issy became a movie star, a politician, a boxer, a celebrated Australian identity and a good Samaritan. His notoriety seemed to know no bounds, Lian said.
In 1931 he contested the Melbourne seat against the long-standing Dr William Maloney.
He represented the United Australia Party, a forerunner to the Liberal Party and no connection to the present day political party of a similar name.
The election was not without scandal and drama and was remembered years later by Dame Enid Lyons.
As a child Lian knew just a few of these tales. It made her angry that war occurred, that people had to go and fight and that her grandfather died at only 49 years of age in 1940, not living long enough for her to meet him.
She now feels she has met him though his legacy and has probably gotten to know him better by researching his journey than she ever might have.
It was at her father’s request that Lian retraced Issy’s life, dedicating the past three years to researching and writing the book.
Lian said each new scrap of information she discovered about Issy would spur her father on to help with her research. Despite her father’s failing health she believes the project extended his life.
“We had this amazing project to work on. I got another 18 months with him,“ she said.
Sadly her father passed away last year, but was able to read two-thirds of the book and knew it would be completed, she said.
The culmination of these endeavours has resulted is more than just one man’s journey. This story remembers not only Issy’s contribution and sacrifices, but helps future generations understand the struggles faced during the 19th and 20th centuries, the Great War and the Great Depression.
“If Issy had lived 10 years more, he would have know prosperity,“ Lian said.
“All he knew was hardship. He never begrudged his life. He went from poverty to wealth and back to poverty. He never complained. He just looked after his fellow man“.
Ratbag, Soldier, Saint – The real story of Sergeant Issy Smith VC has been endorsed by General Sir Peter Cosgrove, Major General Jeffrey Rosenfeld, Essendon Victoria president Ange Kenos and Noosa local resident, Bob Ansett.
The book will be launched this week at Essendon Football Club in Melbourne where in 1936 Issy provided a donation to initiate the best and fairest player award.
For more information, go to hybridpublishers.com.au
