The photo of the grave shows the monument has been broken from the pedestal and sits on the ground of the grave.

IT would be perfectly safe to say that there was practically no one who has resided in Penrith at any time during the past 25 years or more who was not personally acquainted with the late Percival “Percy” James Smith, born in Penrith in 1874 to parents Thomas Richard and Kezia Smith (Colless). Percy married Alice Neale in 1897 at Canterbury. In December 1898 he received an Auctioneers Licence from April to December. It was said from down to the smallest schoolboy or girl he dearly loved to joke and play. All were familiar with his well-known figure, his happy smile and his pleasant good humour in his business as in his leisure hours his happy disposition remained ever the same genial and jovial good-tempered, good-natured and happy. His was a nature that spread brightness and joviality wherever he was present. A nature to which anything approaching despondency or even dullness was an absolutely foreign element, a nature moreover itself brimming over with those characteristics elements always to remove despondency or dullness from others in his presence. It is little wonder then that his untimely death was so deeply and generally mourned and regretted and that his removal from a whole community of personal friends should be so universally deplored and that this monument should have been erected as a lasting tribute. The ceremony of unveiling the monument took place on Sunday afternoon last at the Penrith General Cemetery in the presence of a large number of relatives and friends and after the singing of a hymn the Reverend N M Lloyd read a short and appropriate portion of Scripture. Mr D Fitch (President of the Agricultural Society) said he thought they would all look upon it as a privilege to be there that day. Two years ago a gloom had been cast over the residents of the town and district when the news of their friend’s death was first circulated. He had been taken off in the prime of life as was depicted by the broken column now standing over his last resting-place, over the grave of a man loved by all. Their late friend lived his life in Penrith and died in Penrith from accidentally drowning in the Nepean River in December 1916. Everyone elderly as well as the children all missed him. Mr Fitch referred to his work as Secretary of their Agricultural Society as he carried out his duties faithfully and well and everyone could at all times be satisfied with what he said. He had a genial smile and a cheery word for everyone and never a bad or unkind word for anyone. This memorial was indeed a handsome and fitting monument and Mrs Price and Son had reason to feel proud of the work and it was certainly better than he had expected. It was not imported but was made in NSW from NSW material. In concluding he expressed sympathy with the relatives and trusted that God would give strength to his dear old mother who now had lost both son and husband. Mr Arthur Judges said it was his privilege as President of the Hospital Committee to say a few words that day. He had always looked on Percy Smith as a personal friend. He had known him all his life and he felt that his death was a loss to the district. He believed not anyone in Penrith could have caused a greater vacancy than had been caused by the death of their late friend. The late Mr Smith was a useful citizen, one who had taken an active interest in so many things that were for the benefit of the district. He was Secretary to the hospital for some time prior to his death. His relatives and friends had now put a monument here to the memory of one who had been an important factor in the life of the town and he expressed the deepest sympathy with the relatives. Mr A E Baker President of the Penrith School of Arts also spoke of the late Mr Smith as a personal friend. Mr Smith was a member of the School of Arts committee for a number of years. He had been a busy man who had filled many positions for the benefit of the town. He had a very happy nature and was always recognised by the children of the town who all knew him so well. He also made reference to the late Mr Smith’s mother who was known in every home for her good works and deeds. They all joined in expressing sympathy with the relatives of their late friend. Reverend N M Lloyd said as a newcomer to Penrith he had not known Mr Smith personally but he had heard a lot of his life and deeds. The late Mr Smith had been deeply respected and the broken column was a beautiful symbol of a broken life, a life that had been snapped off. It was a credit alike to those who adopted the idea and to those who designed it. It was a monument of love. If everyone would try to make others happy the world would be the better for it. The late Mr Smith had tried to cast sunshine into the homes and lives of others and let us rebuke those who would try to cause pain and trouble in others’ lives. Reverend Lloyd then unveiled the monument and read the inscription upon it that reads “In loving memory of Percy James Smith aged 44 years beloved husband of Alice Smith and was beloved by all. Erected by relatives and friends as a token of esteem’’. The unveiling was followed by a short prayer and the singing of the National Anthem and the benediction that terminated the ceremony. Mr E W Orth presided at a small organ during the singing of several hymns that interspersed the service. The monument is made of Ben Lomond (NSW) granite standing on a freestone base. It was designed, executed and erected by the firm of Mrs John Price and Son, Penrith and is really a handsome piece of work and a credit to the firm. 

Sources: Nepean Times Saturday 28 December 1918, Coroners Inquest Register 1914-1920, Ancestry, Government Gazette, Find a Grave website.