Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War M.C. group of five awarded to Company Sergeant-Major J. E. Smith, Hampshire Regiment

Military Cross, G.V.R., the reverse engraved ‘17389 C.S.M. J. E. Smith 15th Hants Regt.’; British War and Victory Medals (17389 W.O. Cl. 2. J. E. Smith. Hamps R.); Defence Medal; Coronation 1937, mounted for wear, a little polished, otherwise very fine or better (5) £800-£1,000

M.C. London Gazette 11 December 1916: ‘17389 Coy. Sjt. Maj. James Ernest Smith, Hamps. R.
For conspicuous gallantry in action. He took command of all the men in the vicinity and led them with great courage and initiative. Later he consolidated the position and maintained it until relieved.’

One of only four Warrant Officer awards of the M.C. to the Hampshire Regiment and especially scarce with a published citation. The Hampshire Regimental Journal for November 1916 records him as having been wounded by gun shot in the hand and scalp and to be recovering in hospital in Cardiff. He received the 1937 Coronation Medal while serving as a Police Sergeant and died at Liss, Hampshire, on 28 August 1967. Sold with copied research giving full verification.