Edward Smith
Lance-Sergeant, 1st/5th Battalion. Lancashire Fusiliers
- Register No.
- 1156 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Lance-Sergeant all Lance-Sergeants →
- Unit
- 1st/5th Battalion. Lancashire Fusiliers all Lancashire Fusiliers VCs →
- Date of action
- 21–23 August 1918 on this day → all of 1918 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 22nd October 1918 on this day → all of 1918 →
- Born
- 10th November 1898 at Maryport, Cumberland
- Died
- in action on 12th January 1940, in France
- Memorial / grave
- at the Beuvry Communal Cemetery, Pas-de-Calais, France and on the Maryport War Memorial, Cumberland
- Medal held by
- unknown
Digest of citation
In the period 21st/23rd August, 1918, at Serre, France, whilst in command of a platoon, Sergeant Smith personally took a machine-gun post by rushing it with a rifle and bayonet. The Germans, on seeing him charging forward, scattered and threw grenades at him. Oblivious of any danger, and without stopping his rush on the enemy, Sergeant Smith shot and killed at least six Germans. Later on, another platoon required assistance, on seeing this he led his men to join them, taking command of the situation, and capturing the objective. The following day, during the enemy counter-attack, he led his section forward and was able to restore a portion of the line
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
SMITH, Edward. (reg No. 1156).
Lance-Sergeant. 1st/5th Battalion. Lancashire Fusiliers.
London Gazetted on 22nd October 1918.
VC Medal's Custodian is unknown.
Born on 10th November 1898 at Maryport, Cumberland.
Killed in action on 12th January 1940, in France.
Memorial on grave at the Beuvry Communal Cemetery, Pas-de-Calais, France and on the Maryport War Memorial, Cumberland.
Digest of Citation reads: In the period 21st/23rd August, 1918, at Serre, France, whilst in command of a platoon, Sergeant Smith personally took a machine-gun post by rushing it with a rifle and bayonet. The Germans, on seeing him charging forward, scattered and threw grenades at him. Oblivious of any danger, and without stopping his rush on the enemy, Sergeant Smith shot and killed at least six Germans. Later on, another platoon required assistance, on seeing this he led his men to join them, taking command of the situation, and capturing the objective. The following day, during the enemy counter-attack, he led his section forward and was able to restore a portion of the line.
Additional information:. Lieutenant Edward Benn Smith VC., DCM., was the son of Able Seaman Charles Henry Smith RNR., and his wife Martha. ( daughter of John Benn RNR.). He served with the 2nd Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers in World War Two. (WW2). Further research required.
Additional information
Lieutenant Edward Benn Smith VC., DCM., was the son of Able Seaman Charles Henry Smith RNR., and his wife Martha. ( daughter of John Benn RNR.). He served with the 2nd Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers in World War Two. (WW2). Further research required.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: at the Beuvry Communal Cemetery, Pas-de-Calais, France and on the Maryport War Memorial, Cumberland
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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