Issy Smith
Corporal, 1st Battalion. Manchester Regiment
- Register No.
- 1160 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Corporal (register: Acting Corporal) all Corporals →
- Unit
- 1st Battalion. Manchester Regiment all Manchester Regiment VCs →
- Date of action
- 26 April 1915 on this day → all of 1915 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 23rd August, 1915 on this day → all of 1915 →
- Born
- the 16th September, 1886 at London
- Died
- 11th September 1940 at Melbourne, Australia
- Memorial / grave
- at Fawkner Cemetery, Melbourne, Australia
- Medal held by
- unknown
Digest of citation
On 26th April 1915, East and South of the city of Ypres, Belgium, Corporal Smith went, on his own initiative, a considerable way forward towards the enemy positions, to the assistance of a severely wounded man. He then carried the man to safety, a distance of 250 yards, all of the time under extremely heavy machine gun and rifle fire. He further displayed great gallantry, in assisting, voluntarily, in bringing in many more wounded men throughout the day, during a time when casualties were heavy. He attended to them with the greatest devotion to duty and without regard for his personal safety
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
SMITH, Issy. (reg No. 1160).
Corporal. 1st Battalion. Manchester Regiment.
London Gazetted on 23rd August, 1915.
VC Medal's Custodian is unknown.
Born on the 16th September, 1886 at London.
Died on 11th September 1940 at Melbourne, Australia.
Memorial on grave at Fawkner Cemetery, Melbourne, Australia.
Digest of Citation reads: On 26th April 1915, East and South of the city of Ypres, Belgium, Corporal Smith went, on his own initiative, a considerable way forward towards the enemy positions, to the assistance of a severely wounded man. He then carried the man to safety, a distance of 250 yards, all of the time under extremely heavy machine gun and rifle fire. He further displayed great gallantry, in assisting, voluntarily, in bringing in many more wounded men throughout the day, during a time when casualties were heavy. He attended to them with the greatest devotion to duty and without regard for his personal safety.
Additional information:. Corporal Smith did the above rescues along with Sergeant J Bates; Corporal Dervin and Private F Richardson. The others were awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal.
Additional information
Corporal Smith did the above rescues along with Sergeant J Bates; Corporal Dervin and Private F Richardson. The others were awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: at Fawkner Cemetery, Melbourne, Australia
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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