Orders, Decorations and Medals

Pair: Second Lieutenant A. V. Smoothy, 2nd & 34th Battalion’s, London Regiment

British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut.); together with memorial plaque (Albert Victor Smoothy) nearly extremely fine £250-300

Second Lieutenant Albert Victor Smoothy died of wounds in France and Flanders on 9 November 1918. He is buried at Fretin Communal Cemetery, France.

Sold with various copied research detail, including war diary extracts; a poor quality photograph of recipient; and a detailed newspaper obituary, from the Southend Standard from which the following was extracted:

‘On November 5th 1918, during a company attack on a position north of Bruyelle, Lieut. Smoothy, according to official records, showed great gallantry in leading his platoon to the attack, in the face of heavy machine gun fire. He was badly wounded by a gas shell, and when lying injured on the ground he ordered his men to adjust their S.B.B’s. and made signals to a neighbouring platoon warning them of gas. This officer set an excellent example of offensive spirit and had been most active in patrols and sniping in the front line.Previously, on September 6th and and subsequent days, in an advance on Auburn Trenchand Auchy Village this officer carried out many valuable patrols. He had throughout shown great daring and initiative.

Lieutenant Colonel E. B. Wilson, 34th Battalion, London Regiment in a letter to Mrs Smoothy says ‘I cannot express how sorry I am in your bereavement. It is really to sad, when all around is rejoicing. Your husband was a very brave man, and I enclose the recommendation that I had made out for your husband for the Military Cross, and well he deserved it. I very much regret the award is not given to those who have to make the greatest sacrifice.’