Alfred Victor Smith
Second Lieutenant, 1st/5th Battalion. East Lancashire Regiment
- Register No.
- 1153 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Second Lieutenant (register: Gunner) all Second Lieutenants →
- Unit
- 1st/5th Battalion. East Lancashire Regiment (register: Royal Regiment of Artillery) all Royal Regiment of Artillery VCs →
- Date of action
- 17 January 1885 on this day → all of 1885 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Sudan Campaign
- London Gazette
- 3rd March 1916 on this day → all of 1916 →
- Born
- 22nd July 1891 at Guildford, Surrey
- Died
- in an heroic act on 23rd December, 1915, at Helles, Gallipoli
- Memorial / grave
- at Twelve Trees Copse Cemetery, Gallipoli; also in St Catherine's Church, Burnley and St John's Church, Blackpool, Lancashire
- Medal held by
- Towneley Hall Museum, Burnley, Lancs
Digest of citation
On the 23rd December, 1915, Second Lieutenant Smith, whilst in the act of throwing a grenade, it slipped from his grasp, the grenade falling into the bottom of the trench. The trench containing many officers and men. He shouted a warning to them and made for a place of safety. The officers and men were unable to get to cover, and the grenade was about to explode. Without hesitation, Second Lieutenant Smith, came from cover and threw himself upon the grenade, covering it. The explosion killed him instantly. His act of self-sacrifice are undoubtedly saved many lives
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
SMITH, Alfred Victor. (reg No. 1153).
Second Lieutenant. 1st/5th Battalion. East Lancashire Regiment.
London Gazetted on 3rd March 1916.
VC Medal's Custodian is Towneley Hall Museum, Burnley, Lancs.
Born on 22nd July 1891 at Guildford, Surrey.
Killed in an heroic act on 23rd December, 1915, at Helles, Gallipoli.
Memorial on grave at Twelve Trees Copse Cemetery, Gallipoli; also in St Catherine's Church, Burnley and St John's Church, Blackpool, Lancashire.
Digest of Citation reads: On the 23rd December, 1915, Second Lieutenant Smith, whilst in the act of throwing a grenade, it slipped from his grasp, the grenade falling into the bottom of the trench. The trench containing many officers and men. He shouted a warning to them and made for a place of safety. The officers and men were unable to get to cover, and the grenade was about to explode. Without hesitation, Second Lieutenant Smith, came from cover and threw himself upon the grenade, covering it. The explosion killed him instantly. His act of self-sacrifice are undoubtedly saved many lives.
Additional information:. Second Lieutenant Alfred Smith was the son of the Chief Constable of Burnley, William Henry Smith and his wife Louisa (née Green). He also held the Croix de Guerre of France. Educated at Hatfield School, St Albans and Burnley Grammar School. He entered the Army on October 10th, 1914 and was sent to Gallipoli.
Additional information
Second Lieutenant Alfred Smith was the son of the Chief Constable of Burnley, William Henry Smith and his wife Louisa (née Green). He also held the Croix de Guerre of France. Educated at Hatfield School, St Albans and Burnley Grammar School. He entered the Army on October 10th, 1914 and was sent to Gallipoli.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: at Twelve Trees Copse Cemetery, Gallipoli; also in St Catherine's Church, Burnley and St John's Church, Blackpool, Lancashire
Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.
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