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Auction: 21003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 510

A very fine M.M. group of four awarded to Sergeant E. Smith, 2/6th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment), who saw further action during the Easter Rising in Ireland, 1916, only to die of wounds before he could be presented with the decoration he richly deserved

Military Medal, G.V.R. (240937 Sjt: E. Smith. 2/6 N. & D. R. - T.F.); British War and Victory Medals 240937 Sjt. E. Smith. Notts. & Derby. R.); Great War Bronze Memorial Plaque (Edwin Smith), housed within a velvet display board, a little rubbing to rims of Medals from display, otherwise nearly extremely fine (4)

M.M. London Gazette 26 May 1917.

Edwin Smith was baptised on 24 February 1892 at St John’s, Staveley. He was married in married on 8 January 1916 at the Congregational Church, Watford and almost certainly was one of 142 'Derby Scheme' men who joined the 2/6th Battalion at Watford in that month. The unit embarked for Ireland in time to arrive for the actions around the Easter Rising, when the unit was hotly engaged and which Smith served throughout. The unit employed armoured cars whilst on duty and the Foresters Brigade held Eamon De Valera under arrest and also earned a number of gallantry awards for their actions. During the summer they remained on duty in Ireland and provided men for the Flying Columns.

Serving in France with 'B' Company from February 1917, Smith had clearly distinguished himself, for the award of his M.M. appeared in print in May 1917. He would however die of wounds on 28 April 1917, having been treated at 55 Casualty Clearing Station. It seems almost certain he was mortally wounded in the attack on Hargicourt Quarries and Cologne Farm on 27 April, which cost the Battalion 4 Officers and 31 other ranks killed or missing. Smith was buried in the Le Chapelette British and Indian Cemetery, Peronne, whilst his M.M. was sent to his widow. He is further commemorated upon the Watford Borough Roll of Honour and the Staveley War Memorial, Derbyshire.

Sold together with pencil note from the Officer Commanding 'B' Company with slip confirming his M.M., C.W.G.C. confirmation and photograph of his grave, confirmation of his burial, War Graves Commission entry (dated July 1930) and one or two other original items.

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Sold for
£1,600

Starting price
£600

Sale 21003 Notices
Now also accompanied by his Memorial Scroll, with its Buckingham Palace enclosure.