He was also part of a unique group of New Zealanders who invaded Russia. Smith was among the Commonwealth soldiers who answered the call of the British Secretary State for War in May 1919 to form the North Russia Relief force. Supplied/Stuff Official files are one of the few sources of information on Private Thomas Peter Smith. Infection rates among both Australian and New Zealand soldiers rose and the first batch of men to be so afflicted were treated severely. A total of 28 New Zealand soldiers were sentenced to death in World War I, five of whom were ultimately executed.

Source: Stuff April 25, 2021 03:11 UTC