Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Royal Household R.V.M. group of eight awarded to Privy Purse Messenger Sergeant J. H. Smith, late Grenadier Guards

Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 2 clasps, Tel-El-Kebir, Suakin 1885 (5576 Sergt. J. H. Smith. 2nd Bn. Gren: Gds.) original naming details heavily worn and later over-engraved; Coronation 1902, bronze; Coronation 1911; Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (...gt. J. Smith, Gre...) ; Army Meritorious Service Medal, E.VII.R. (Serjt: J. Smith. Gren: Gds:); Royal Victorian Medal, G.V.R., silver, unnamed as issued; Royal Household Faithful Service Medal, G.V.R., suspension dated ‘1897-1917’ (James Henry Smith); Khedive’s Star, dated 1882, named on reverse points, mounted court-style for display, the R.V.M. good very fine, the remainder all heavily polished and pitted from contact wear, therefore generally poor (8) £600-£800

R.V.M. awarded 4 December 1920: ‘Sgt., G.G., Privy Purse Messenger: On retirement.’

James Henry Smith was born in the Parish of Chieveley, near Newbury, Berkshire, and enlisted into the 16th Foot as ‘James Smith’ at Reading on 5 June 1874, aged 18. He transferred to the 58th Foot on 1 November 1874, and to the Grenadier Guards on 1 October 1876. He was promoted to Corporal in November 1878, appointed Lance-Sergeant in May 1880, and promoted Sergeant in September 1881. He re-engaged for the Grenadier Guards in February 1884 and served with the regiment through to 17 June 1896. He served overseas in Egypt from 31 July to 13 November, 1882, and at Suakin from 20 February to 10 September 1885, being slightly wounded at Takool on 6 May 1885. He was stationed in Bermuda for 1 year from July 1890 but his service was otherwise all at Home until he received his final discharge in 1896. He entered Royal Service as a Commissionaire or Messenger in 1897 on the Privy Purse establishment. He received his Meritorious Service Medal with £10 Annuity on 1 April 1904, and in 1917 received his Royal Household Faithful Service medal for twenty years service. He retired in December 1920 and was awarded the Royal Victorian Medal in silver on that occasion.

Sold with copied discharge papers and other research copied to CD.