James SmithVC (1871 – 18 March 1946) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
On the night of 16/17 September 1897, in the Mamund Valley, North-West India, Corporal Smith, with other men, responded to a call for volunteers and followed two officers of the Royal Engineers (James Morris Colquhoun Colvin and Thomas Colclough Watson) into the burning village of Bilot, in an attempt to dislodge the enemy. Afterwards, although wounded, Corporal Smith continued fighting steadily and coolly, and also helped to carry the wounded to the place prepared for them. When one of the officers left in order to get help, the corporal held the position until his return, exposing himself to great danger and directing the fire of his men.[1]
james, smith, james, smith, 1871, march, 1946, english, recipient, victoria, cross, highest, most, prestigious, award, gallantry, face, enemy, that, awarded, british, commonwealth, forces, james, smithborn1871maidstone, kentdied18, march, 1946, aged, dartford,. James Smith VC 1871 18 March 1946 was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces James SmithBorn1871Maidstone KentDied18 March 1946 aged 74 75 Dartford KentBuriedWatling Street Cemetery DartfordAllegiance United KingdomService wbr branch British ArmyRankColour SergeantUnitThe Buffs East Kent Regiment Battles warsFirst Mohmand Campaign Chitral ExpeditionAwardsVictoria CrossSmith was about 26 years old and a corporal in The Buffs East Kent Regiment British Army during the First Mohmand Campaign British India when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC On the night of 16 17 September 1897 in the Mamund Valley North West India Corporal Smith with other men responded to a call for volunteers and followed two officers of the Royal Engineers James Morris Colquhoun Colvin and Thomas Colclough Watson into the burning village of Bilot in an attempt to dislodge the enemy Afterwards although wounded Corporal Smith continued fighting steadily and coolly and also helped to carry the wounded to the place prepared for them When one of the officers left in order to get help the corporal held the position until his return exposing himself to great danger and directing the fire of his men 1 He later achieved the rank of colour Sergeant He is buried in Watling Street Cemetery in Dartford Kent 2 His Victoria Cross was on display at The Buffs Regimental Museum Canterbury England With the rest of that museum s collections it has now been transferred to the National Army Museum in Chelsea London 3 References edit No 27073 The London Gazette 21 April 1899 p 2545 Dartford Council National Army Museum CataloguePublications editMonuments to Courage David Harvey 1999 The Register of the Victoria Cross This England 1997 External links editLocation of grave and VC medal Kent Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title James Smith VC amp oldid 1149141065, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
