Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine Great War ‘Western Front’ D.C.M., M.M. group of five awarded to Company Sergeant-Major E. A. Smith, 4th (Militia) Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (13428 Sjt:-A.C.S. Mjr: E. A. Smith, 4/Bedf: R.); Military Medal, G.V.R. (13428 C.S. Mjr: E. A. Smith, 4/Bedf: R.); 1914-15 Star (13428 Pte. E. A. Smith. Bedf: R.); British War and Victory Medals (13428 W.O. Cl. 2. E. A. Smith. Bedf. R.) medals mounted for display, good very fine (5) £2,400-£2,800

D.C.M. London Gazette 1 January 1919; citation published 3 September 1919:
‘During period 25th February to 16/17th September, 1918, for gallantry and devotion to duty in the preparation for and during the course of an attack. He has at all times shown great coolness and power of control under fire and in difficult situations. His cheerfulness, disregard of personal safety, and persistent efforts for the well-being of his men have had a very beneficial effect on the men of his company.’

M.M. London Gazette 23 July 1919.

Ernest Alfred Smith was a native of Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, and served with the 4th (Militia) Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. The following notice was published under ‘Local War News’ in The Hertfordshire & Hemel Hempstead Gazette of 25 January 1919:

‘C.S.M. E. A. Smith, son of Mrs J. Smith of Cemetery Hill, Hemel Hempstead, who recently gained the M.M., has now been awarded the D.C.M.
C.S.M. Smith was prior to the outbreak of the war engaged at Mr Green’s, High-street and joined up within a few days of the opening of hostilities. He has seen almost continuous service in France attached to the Royal Naval Division during the latter part of the campaign. The D.C.M. was won during an action last September in which all the officers were either killed or wounded. C.S.M. Smith carried on and came out of a successful engagement without a scratch.’

Sold with copied research including news cutting, gazette entries and Medal Index Card.