Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Gunner N. Smith, Royal Field Artillery

British War and Victory Medals (29111 Gnr. N. Smith. R.A.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (29111 Gnr: N. Smith. C.162/Bde: R.F.A.) minor edge bruising, very fine (3) £100-£140

M.S.M. London Gazette 7 June 1918.

Norman Smith was born in Huddersfield around 1882, and attested for the Royal Field Artillery in Manchester on 11 December 1902. Appointed Acting Bombardier on 2 November 1903, his promising career was temporarily put on hold in November 1905 when he was tried by District Court Martial and sentenced to 14 days’ imprisonment for committing a crime. Returned to service, he joined the British Expeditionary Force in France from 18 August 1914 to 8 February 1916; 28 May to 15 December 1916; and 28 April to 22 October 1917. Also entitled to the 1914 Star, he was awarded the M.S.M. for devotion to duty in France, latterly with 162nd (Camberwell) Brigade, R.F.A., which was armed with howitzers.

Recorded as ‘gassed’, Smith was admitted to Catterick Military Hospital on 19 December 1917. He later suffered from rheumatism, his medical record noting: ‘no marching’.