John George Smyth
Lieutenant, 15th Ludhiana Sikhs. Indian Army
- Register No.
- 1167 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Lieutenant all Lieutenants →
- Unit
- 15th Ludhiana Sikhs. Indian Army all 15th Ludhiana Sikhs VCs →
- Date of action
- 18 May 1915 on this day → all of 1915 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 29th June 1915 on this day → all of 1915 →
- Born
- 24th October 1893 at Teignmouth, Devon
- Died
- 26th April 1983 in London
- Medal held by
- Imperial War Museum, Kennington
Digest of citation
On 18th May 1915, Lieutenant Smyth, with a party of 10 men, all volunteers, carried two boxes, containing a total of 96 bombs, across exceptionally exposed and dangerous ground, to within 20 yards of the German positions. Two previous attempts to do so, having failed. With the aid of two men, the remainder of the small party having been killed or wounded, Lieutenant Smyth, succeeded in his task of taking the bombs after having had to swim a stream all the time exposed to heavy howitzer, machine gun and rifle fire and shrapnel
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
SMYTH, John George. (reg No. 1167).
Lieutenant. 15th Ludhiana Sikhs. Indian Army.
London Gazetted on 29th June 1915.
VC Medal's Custodian is Imperial War Museum, Kennington.
Born on 24th October 1893 at Teignmouth, Devon.
Died on 26th April 1983 in London. Brigadier Smyth was cremated at Golders Green, London.
Digest of Citation reads: On 18th May 1915, Lieutenant Smyth, with a party of 10 men, all volunteers, carried two boxes, containing a total of 96 bombs, across exceptionally exposed and dangerous ground, to within 20 yards of the German positions. Two previous attempts to do so, having failed. With the aid of two men, the remainder of the small party having been killed or wounded, Lieutenant Smyth, succeeded in his task of taking the bombs after having had to swim a stream all the time exposed to heavy howitzer, machine gun and rifle fire and shrapnel.
Additional information:. Brigadier John Smyth, also held the Military Cross (MC) as well as the Russian Order of St George. He was the son of William John Smyth, of the Indian Civil Service, and his wife Lilian May. (née Clifford). His education began at Oxford Preparatory School, Repton School, Derbyshire and Sandhurst. His military career proper, started when he joined the Indian Army on 24th August 1912 as an unattached Second Lieutenant. On 5th November 1913 he joined the 15th at Ludhiana Sikhs, being promoted to Lieutenant on the 24th November, 1914. He served with the Lahore Division in September 1914 until August 1915. One month after winning the VC he was Mentioned in Despatches on 22nd June 1915. He was promoted to Captain and later became the Brigade Major of the 43rd Brigade. He saw service in Egypt, defending the canal in August 1915, in the Senussi campaign from November 1915 to February 1916. He took part in the Mohmand blockade in October 1916. As a captain he married Evelyn Monica Robertson. Further research required.
Additional information
Brigadier John Smyth, also held the Military Cross (MC) as well as the Russian Order of St George. He was the son of William John Smyth, of the Indian Civil Service, and his wife Lilian May. (née Clifford). His education began at Oxford Preparatory School, Repton School, Derbyshire and Sandhurst. His military career proper, started when he joined the Indian Army on 24th August 1912 as an unattached Second Lieutenant. On 5th November 1913 he joined the 15th at Ludhiana Sikhs, being promoted to Lieutenant on the 24th November, 1914. He served with the Lahore Division in September 1914 until August 1915. One month after winning the VC he was Mentioned in Despatches on 22nd June 1915. He was promoted to Captain and later became the Brigade Major of the 43rd Brigade. He saw service in Egypt, defending the canal in August 1915, in the Senussi campaign from November 1915 to February 1916. He took part in the Mohmand blockade in October 1916. As a captain he married Evelyn Monica Robertson. Further research required.
Brigadier Smyth was cremated at Golders Green, London.
Places connected with Smyth
Research this recipient further
Would you like to honour John George Smyth by sponsoring this page from £1 a month — in memory of someone, in your own name or for your company? Sponsor this page.