Orders, Decorations & Medals - Australian Groups

Lot 3992    SESSION 19 (2.30PM FRIDAY 28TH JULY)    Orders, Decorations & Medals - Australian Groups

Estimate $9,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $8,500

OBE, MC, MID Group of Seven: Officer of the British Empire (OBE - Military Division) type 2; Military Cross (George V GRI); 1914-15 Star; British War Medal 1914-18; Victory Medal 1914-19 with MID; Jubilee Medal 1935; Efficiency Decoration (GVI GRI). First and sixth medals unnamed, Lieut. R. F. Smith. 1st Sig. Troop A.I.F. on second medal, 504 Cpl R.F.Smith. 2/L.H.Rgt A.I.F. on third medal, T/Major. R.F.Smith A.I.F. on fourth and fifth medals, Lt/Col. R.F.Smith M.C. A. C. of S. on last medal. The second and last medals engraved, other named medals impressed. Swing mounted, with original ribbons, these well worn, otherwise fine - very fine.

Ex Colonial Coins and Medals.

Together with matching set of miniatures with a photo of Smith in uniform above, all mat framed under perspex, with a timber frame (38x55cm); bestowal document for the award of Officer in the Military Division of the Order of the British Empire, mat framed under perspex with a timber frame (47x53cm).

OBE (Military): granted 1/1/1939 to Lt-Col Rupert Frank Smith, CO Signals in 2nd Military District.

MC: LG 1/1/1918, p52; CAG 18/4/1918, p847 - to Lieutenant Rupert Frank Smith, 1 Sig Sqn.

Citation: As Signalling Officer of his Brigade since 14th March, 1916, this officer has rendered exceptional service. The energy and initiative displayed in handling the communications throughout the movements and operations of the Brigade across the Sinai Peninsula was most marked. The bold manner in which he handled his forward communications at Mughdaba, Rafa and Baiket el Sana under heavy fire, contributed greatly to the success of these operations.

Recommendations for MC: 26Jan1917 for action at Rafa on 9/1/17; 17Jun1917 for actions at Magdhaba on 23/12/16, Rafa 9/1/17, Baiket el sana 19/4/17; another in 1917 date unclear for action at Baiket el Sana, Gaza on 19/4/16; 28Jan1918 for actions from Beersheba to Ludd .

MID: LG 6/7/1917, p6773; CAG 11/10/1917, p2664 - to Lieutenant Rupert Frank Smith, 1 Sig Sqn - for conspicuous services rendered.

ED: CAG No.48 4/8/1938, p2024 - to Lt-Col R.F.Smith MC, Aust Corps of Signals, 2nd MD.

Jubilee Medal: confirmed on the Commonwealth List as awarded to Lt-Col Rupert Frank Smith MC, ACS (Aust Corps of Signals).

Rupert Frank Smith, mechanical engineer, age 28, born at Candelo, NSW; WWI: Enl.26Oct1914 at Paddington, Sydney, NSW, in 2 Sig Trp; to Sapper 26Oct1914; to L/Cpl 28Oct1914; to Cpl 01Nov1914; Emb.22Dec1914; to join MEF 11May1915; to hospital 31Jul1915; discharged from hospital and to Zeitoun 15Aug1915; returned to unit 26Dec1915; to 2/Lt and to command 1 Sig Trp 14Mar1916; TOS 1 Sig Trp 06Apr1916; WIA (slightly in aerial raid on Hill 40) 01Jun1916 bomb wound to hand and to hospital; rejoined unit 30Jun1916; detached to 1 LH Bde as Staff Trainee 06Jun1918; to Capt 08Jul1918; to T/Mjr 16Jan1919; attch'd to 1 Sig Sq (A.Hqrs Egypt) 10Mar1919; RTA 03Jul1919; Disemb.10Aug1919; Appt terminated 10Oct1919. WWII: Enl.13May1940 at Caulfield, Vic (V159880); General List record: V159880 Lt-Col (T/Col) R.F.Smith, O.B.E., M.C., E.D. is appointed Chief Inspector, Armoured Fighting Vehicles, Land Headquarters (M.G.O. Branch) and Liaison Officer (A.F.V.) between Land Headquarters and Directorate of A.V.F. (Production), Ministry of Munitions, and retains rank of Colonel whilst so employed, 26th February, 1942; served with CMF at rank of Colonel, 13May1940 to 27Oct1943; trf to Reserve of Officers 28Oct1943; Died by drowning 03Dec1949; Funeral Service at Northern Suburbs Crematorium Tuesday 06Dec1949.

The following article appeared in The Newcastle Sun, Tuesday 20 December 1949 on page 3.

'Coroner Commends Rescuer's Bravery
"I want to commend you on what I consider a most courageous action. It takes courage to enter water near rocks at any time, but more than usual courage when the water is rough," the Acting District Coroner (Mr. G. Hook, S.M.) told Edward Kenneth Bullough today.

Mr. Hook was inquiring into the death of Rupert Frank Smith, 62, at Red Ochre Beach on Dec. 3. He found that Smith died as a result of being accidentally washed from the rocks by a large wave while fishing. Bullough said he had gone fishing with his father and with Smith, who was his uncle, at the rocks at the northern end of Red Ochre Beach. His father had gone some distance away and he had turned away to re-rig his line, when he heard a noise like an especially large wave hitting the rocks.

He could not see Smith where he had been. He saw him in the water in the middle of the gulf and dived in after him. Bullough said: 'He seemed to be all right and was treading water. I called out to him to keep calm and finally got my arms about him and tried to make way to a point nearby. After some time I got him across to the rocks but because of the back-wash he was unable to get right onto them. A big wave washed us partly on to the rocks, but before I could get him on, he was washed back into the gulf again. I got to him again, but this time he seemed limp. Finally another big wave washed us high on the rocks and I pulled him clear. An ambulance officer and I tried for two hours to revive him but without success.'

With copy of WWI Service File and other research.