Orders, Decorations and Medals

A rare Abor group of six to Brigadier L. S. H. Smithers, C.B., 17th Infantry (The Loyal Regiment), Indian Army

INDIA GENERAL SERVICE 1908-35,1 clasp, Abor 1911-12 (Captn., 17th Infy.); 1914-15 STAR (Capt., 17 Infy.); BRITISH WAR and VICTORY MEDALS, M.I.D. (Major); JUBILEE 1935; Serbia, ORDER OF THE WHITE EAGLE, 5th class breast badge with swords, the group on a contemporary court mounting, dark toned, extremely fine (6)

Brigadier Leonard Sueton Hirsch Smithers was born in 1879, the son of Maj-General O. F. Smithers. He entered the Indian Army in 1898 and served in the Abor Expedition 1911-12, where he was mentioned in despatches, London Gazette 16 July 1912. He served in the Great War 1914-18 and was Brigade Major, Scottish Command, February-September, 1917. He was again mentioned in despatches, London Gazette 5 September, 1916, and awarded the Order of the White Eagle, 5th class. He was promoted Colonel in 1926 and Commandant of Kitchener College 1929-31; Assistant Adjutant General, India, January to September, 1932 and commanded the 11th (Ahmednagar) Infantry Brigade from 1934 until his retirement in 1936. Brigadier Smithers was awarded the C.B. (Military) in the same year and died 23 January, 1954.