Orders, Decorations & Medals - Australian Groups

Lot 3781    Session 13 (2.30pm Thu 27th March)    Orders, Decorations & Medals - Australian Groups

Estimate $250
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $320

FAMILY GROUP: Father. Single: Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal (GVR). Lieut. W.E.Smith. M.C 2nd Battalion. Engraved. Son. Trio: War Medal 1939-45; Australia Service Medal 1939-45; Efficiency Medal (GVR) with Australia suspender. N15295 T.W.Smith on first two medals, No 104103 C/Sgt T W Smith, 2/35 Bn. on last medal. First two medals impressed but N smaller than numbers, the last engraved. Both lots display court mounted, the first as a group of four with first three medals missing. Very fine - extremely fine.

CAFLSM: CAG No.29 3/5/1923 to W.E.Smith MC.

The only W.E.Smith awarded an MC in WWI was Captain Walter (Edmond, Edmund or Edward - in various service records with these variations to his second name) Smith, 53 Battalion. He was awarded the Military Cross for conspicuous gallantry in the attack on Polygon Wood east of Ypres on 26Sep1917. He was recommended for a DSO for the attack on Peronne on 01Sep1918 but was instead awarded a First Bar to his MC.

Walter Smith was born in 1895 at Newtown, Sydney; served 6 years with 31Bn Senior Cadets; served 6 months with AN&MEF with A Coy in New Guinea, Disch.04Mar1915; he was an engineer when he enlisted in AIF on 01Feb1916; WIA 19Jul1916 GSW hand and right thigh (severe) at Fleurbaix, France; also suffered frost bite, trench feet and was gassed; by 1921 he was a Major. His record shows he was awarded an Efficiency Decoration. By 1925 he was a Lt Colonel and served as such in WW2. This latter service history seems to conflict with the award of the CAFLSM. No WW2 record can be found for T.W.Smith with a service number of N15295.

With research.