Clement Leslie Smith
Lieutenant, 2nd Battalion. Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
- Register No.
- 1155 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Lieutenant all Lieutenants →
- Unit
- 2nd Battalion. Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry all Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry VCs →
- Date of action
- 10 January 1904 on this day → all of 1904 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Fourth Somaliland Expedition
- London Gazette
- 7th June 1904 on this day → all of 1904 →
- Born
- 17th January 1878 at Whippingham, Isle of Wight
- Died
- 14th December 1927 at Alassio, Italy
- Memorial / grave
- in English Cemetery, Alassio, Italy
- Medal held by
- the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry
Digest of citation
On 10th January 1904, at the commencement of the fighting at Jidballi, in Somaliland, the enemy made a sudden attack on the 5th Somali Mounted Infantry, under the cover of bushes close by. Supported by rifle fire they rapidly got right amongst our men. Lieutenant Smith, Somali Mounted Infantry and Lieutenant Welland M D of the RAMC., went out to help and rescue Hospital Assistant Rahamat-Ali, who lay wounded. The speed of the enemy advance made it impossible for them to bring him out of the action on a horse and Rahamat-Ali was killed. Lieutenant Smith then did his utmost to bring out Lieutenant Welland by mounting him on a horse, when that was shot he placed him on a mule. This was also shot and Lieutenant Welland was speared. Lieutenant Smith stayed with the doctor to the end, and when he was killed, he was only a few paces away, using his revolver to keep the Dervishes away. He was lucky to escape with his life as the Dervishes were all about him
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
SMITH, Clement Leslie. (reg No. 1155).
Lieutenant. 2nd Battalion. Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry.
London Gazetted on 7th June 1904.
VC Medal's Custodian is the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry Museum, The Keep, Bodmin, Cornwall.
Born on 17th January 1878 at Whippingham, Isle of Wight.
Died on 14th December 1927 at Alassio, Italy.
Memorial on grave in English Cemetery, Alassio, Italy.
Digest of Citation reads: On 10th January 1904, at the commencement of the fighting at Jidballi, in Somaliland, the enemy made a sudden attack on the 5th Somali Mounted Infantry, under the cover of bushes close by. Supported by rifle fire they rapidly got right amongst our men. Lieutenant Smith, Somali Mounted Infantry and Lieutenant Welland M D of the RAMC., went out to help and rescue Hospital Assistant Rahamat-Ali, who lay wounded. The speed of the enemy advance made it impossible for them to bring him out of the action on a horse and Rahamat-Ali was killed. Lieutenant Smith then did his utmost to bring out Lieutenant Welland by mounting him on a horse, when that was shot he placed him on a mule. This was also shot and Lieutenant Welland was speared. Lieutenant Smith stayed with the doctor to the end, and when he was killed, he was only a few paces away, using his revolver to keep the Dervishes away. He was lucky to escape with his life as the Dervishes were all about him.
Additional information: Brigadier General Smith, VC., MC. Was the son of the Reverend Canon Clement Smith MVO., and his wife, Mary Eliza (née Spurling). On 5th May 1900, he joined the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry from the Volunteers, serving on a the Staff in the Boer War. (Queen's Medal and five Clasps). Promoted to Lieutenant on 9th August 1902. On 15th May 1903 he went to Somaliland for one year serving as a Special Service Officer, taking part in the action at Jidballi, where he won his Victoria Cross as well as being mentioned in despatches, and receiving the Medal with two clasps. Further research required.
Additional information
Brigadier General Smith, VC., MC. Was the son of the Reverend Canon Clement Smith MVO., and his wife, Mary Eliza (née Spurling). On 5th May 1900, he joined the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry from the Volunteers, serving on a the Staff in the Boer War. (Queen's Medal and five Clasps). Promoted to Lieutenant on 9th August 1902. On 15th May 1903 he went to Somaliland for one year serving as a Special Service Officer, taking part in the action at Jidballi, where he won his Victoria Cross as well as being mentioned in despatches, and receiving the Medal with two clasps. Further research required.
Museum, The Keep, Bodmin, Cornwall.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: in English Cemetery, Alassio, Italy
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.
Research this recipient further
Would you like to honour Clement Leslie Smith by sponsoring this page from £1 a month — in memory of someone, in your own name or for your company? Sponsor this page.