Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Private L. Smith, Middlesex Regiment, twice wounded in action - a well documented group with an account of his services in North Russia, 1918/19

British War and Victory Medals (G-50014 Pte., Midd’x. R.); Defence Medal, unnamed, very fine (lot) £150-200

Leon Smith was born in 1889. Serving in the 11th Battalion Middlesex Regiment, he was wounded in action in France, 9 April 1917 - gunshot wound to the left foot, and was admitted to the Mobile Hospital, Etaples on 10 April 1917 and to No. 6 Convalescent Hospital on 6 May 1917. He was wounded a second time in late April 1918 - ‘shell wound, left arm, severe’, and was admitted to the 1 Canadian General Hospital, Etaples, on 1 March 1918. Nevertheless, he recovered sufficiently to be posted to the North Russian Expeditionary Force in September 1918 and was attached to the 236 Brigade H.Q., remaining there for a year.

With a number of original papers, including: a series of papers entitled, ‘1918 North Russian E. Force’, giving a narrative account of his service in that theatre of war, September 1918-September 1919 - this with a typed copy; paper re his service as Cook in Russia on Christmas Day 1918 - listing N.C.O’s. and men present; ‘Letters to Annie’ (7) - all handwritten in pencil, dated 22 February 1918; 25 February 1918; 3 March 1918; 21 February 1919; 20 April [1919] 31 May 1919; 14 June 1919; Army Form B.104-80A. - notification of him being admitted to hospital with German Measles, March 1917; Army Form B.104-81 - notification of his being wounded, April 1917; Army Form B.104-81A - notification of his being wounded and admitted to hospital, April 1917; Army Form B.104-81A - notification of being wounded and admitted to hospital, May 1917; Army Form B.104-81A - notification of his being wounded and admitted to hospital, March 1918; card sent from hospital; x-ray photograph of the wound; W.W.1 medal card box of issue in registered envelope addressed to ‘Mr L. Smith, 29 Mill Terrace, Weston Colville, Cambs.’; Protection Certificate and Certificate of Identity; Soldier’s Demobilization Account, in addressed envelope; letter of appreciation on his demobilization. Note: some of the papers are damaged.

Also with Identity Disk (50014 L. J. Smith C.E. Mx. R. 11.’; another, privately made for wrist wear; base metal cigarette case; ‘Royal Palm Hotel, Florida’ souvenir penknife; white metal medallions (2); silver brooch; pencils in metal casing (2).