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Auction: 23002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 42

Sold by Order of a Direct Descendant

The fine campaign group of five awarded to Major J. P. Smartt, Cheshire Regiment, late Niger Coast Protectorate Force, who was 'mentioned' for his part in the operations in the Benin territories in 1899, having previously earned a Royal Humane Society Bronze Medal

East and West Africa 1887-1900, 1 clasp, 1899 (Lieut. J. P. Smartt. Niger C. P. Force); British War and Victory Medals (Major J. P. Smartt.), additionally privately impressed '3rd Cheshire Regt.'; Volunteer Officers' Decoration, V.R., hallmarks for London 1902, the reverse additionally inscribed 'Lieut. J. P. Smartt 2nd V.B. Hants. Regt. 1902', with its top riband bar, this adapted for mounting; Royal Humane Society, small bronze Medal (Corpl. J. P. Smartt. 2nd Vol. Bn. Royal Warwick Regt. 14th Decr. 1887.), with bronze riband buckle, first four mounted as worn, in fitted leather case by Spink & Son, 17 & 18 Piccadilly, good very fine (5)

Approximately 290 '1899' clasps issued to the Niger Coast Protectorate Force.

R.H.S. case No. 23851 for an action at Leamington on 14 December 1887. A report from the Leamington Spa Courier confirms he leapt into the river after Mr A. Aldred, a marker at the Butts. Smartt had been attending the annual dinner of the Leamington Volunteers at the Drill Hall. The report continues:

'Aldred...slipped down a steep embankment, which was very muddy at the time, and fell into the Leam. Corporal Smartt, who was a few yards away, heard the splash, and, divining what had occurred, plunged in after the unfortunate marker, and succeeded in bringing him to the bank, when he was pulled out by some other Volunteers who had been attracted to the spot.'

Joseph Percy Smartt was born at Stockwell on 18 May 1863 and having served in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment (Militia), was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Hampshire Regiment and also served with the 3rd Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment. A member of the Colonial Service, he was married at St Margaret's, Westminster in September 1897.

From 1893-96, he served in the Public Works & Roads Department in the Gold Coast and by 1899, he was in the Niger Coast Protectorate working in the Audit Service. He had served in the Gold Coast Rifle Volunteers, having been Adjutant from May-November 1893 and Commandant from October 1895-March 1896. He had served for duty with the Niger Coast Protectorate Force from May-July 1897.

However, with the requirement for troops for the operations to the Benin territories in 1899, he answered the call of duty and was specially mentioned and brought to notice by Consul-General Moor. Together with four others, his good service was published in the London Evening Standard:

'Had it not been for the volunteering of these officers, it would not have been possible to carry out the operations without co-operation or assistance from other forces, and I should therefore wish to bring forward their names as having displayed exceptional zeal in the public service in undertaking risks which the positions they held in the public service did not require them to take.'

He saw further service from May-August 1900 and was Acting Treasurer of South Nigeria from June-December 1903 and September 1904.

A Major by the outbreak of the Great War, Smartt served with the Cheshire Regiment attached to the Labour Corps in France from 2 October 1918. His Medals were sent to The Warren, Edale in July 1921 and he died at The Clarence Nursing Home, Tunbridge Wells in April 1949.

An image of Moor, together with Smartt, besides Dr R. J. D'Arcy Irvine (Medal sold in these rooms, April 2021) features in the Major N. Burrows Collection at the National Army Museum. It seems likely that he would also have crossed paths with Political Officer A. C. Douglas (Medal sold in these rooms, July 2020) and would perhaps have been mentioned in the notable Niger Memories. That work covered the times of Douglas in West Africa under the nom de plume Nemo.


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Sold for
£3,500

Starting price
£800