Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Shoeing-Smith W. Ray, 14th Hussars

1914 Star (47597 S. Sth., 14/Hrs.); British War and Victory Medals (5791 Pte., 14-Hrs.) mounted court style for display, nearly extremely fine (3) £140-180

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A fine collection of 1914 Stars to the Cavalry.

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At the outbreak of war the 14th Hussars were stationed at Mhow, India. As a regiment they saw no action in France during the war; and served in Mesopotamia from November 1915. Notwithstanding, a number of Depot and Reservist members of the Regiment earned the 1914 Star whilst attached to other units.

Shoeing-Smith William Ernest Ray, 14th Hussars, entered the France/Flanders theatre of war on 8 November 1914, serving as an officer’s servant at the H.Q. of the 3rd Cavalry Division. He transferred to the Royal Horse Guards in April 1918 and to the Guards Machine Gun Regiment in May 1918. He was finally transferred to the Class ‘Z’ Reserve on 15 February 1919.

Note that the officer submitting the roll for the 1914 Star actually made a mistake in identifying Ray’s later ‘Corp of Hussars’ number (H/47597) rather than the number he first entered the theatre of war with (5791). Research indicates that the rank of ‘Shoeing-Smith’ is unique amongst the awards of the 1914 Star to the 14th Hussars.

With copied discharge papers, m.i.c. and other research.