James Smith
Corporal, East Kent Regiment
- Register No.
- 1162 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Corporal all Corporals →
- Unit
- East Kent Regiment (register: Corps of Royal Engineers) all Corps of Royal Engineers VCs →
- Date of action
- 16 September 1897 on this day → all of 1897 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Mohmand Campaign
- London Gazette
- 21st April, 1899 on this day → all of 1899 →
- Born
- in 1871 at Maidstone, Kent
- Died
- 18th March 1946 at Dartford, Kent
- Memorial / grave
- at Watling Street Burial Ground, Dartford, Kent
- Medal held by
- the National Army Museum
Digest of citation
On the night of 16th/17th September, 1897, in the Mamund Valley, North-West India, Corporal Smith, with other men, responded to a call for volunteers and followed two officers of the Royal Engineers, Lieutenant J.M.C. Colvin (reg No. 238)and Lieutenant T.C .Watson (reg No. 1282), into the burning village of Bilot, in an attempt to dislodge the enemy. Afterwards, although wounded, Corporal Smith continued fighting steadily and coolly, and also helped to carry the wounded to the place prepared for them. When one of the officers left in order to get help, the corporal held the position until his return, exposing himself to great danger and directing the fire of his men
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
SMITH, James. (reg No. 1162).
Corporal. East Kent Regiment * London Gazetted on 21st April, 1899.
VC Medal's Custodian is the National Army Museum.
Born in 1871 at Maidstone, Kent.
Died on 18th March 1946 at Dartford, Kent.
Memorial on grave at Watling Street Burial Ground, Dartford, Kent.
Digest of Citation reads: On the night of 16th/17th September, 1897, in the Mamund Valley, North-West India, Corporal Smith, with other men, responded to a call for volunteers and followed two officers of the Royal Engineers, Lieutenant J.M.C. Colvin (reg No. 238)and Lieutenant T.C .Watson (reg No. 1282), into the burning village of Bilot, in an attempt to dislodge the enemy. Afterwards, although wounded, Corporal Smith continued fighting steadily and coolly, and also helped to carry the wounded to the place prepared for them. When one of the officers left in order to get help, the corporal held the position until his return, exposing himself to great danger and directing the fire of his men.
*The Buffs.
*The Buffs.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: at Watling Street Burial Ground, Dartford, Kent
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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