Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Five: Attributed to Captain P. H. G. Smith, East Surrey Regiment, who was mortally wounded during the advance through Italy on 7 October 1943 and died later that day

1939-45 Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, 1st Army; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; together with five Stowe School Athletic Prize Medallions, silver, the reverses engraved ‘1933 100 Yards Open won by P. H. G. Smith, time 10.5s.’; ‘1933 220 Yards Open won by P. H. G. Smith, time 24.2s.’; ‘1933 440 Yards Open won by P. H. G. Smith, time 54.4s.’; ‘1934 220 Yards Open’; and ‘1934 440 Yards Open’, minor edge bruising to the Prize Medallions, these good very fine, the Second War awards extremely fine (10) £300-400

Philip Howard Godfrey Smith was born in 1915 and educated at Stowe School, where he excelled in athletics, and was commissioned from the 163rd Officer Cadet training Unit a Second Lieutenant in the East Surrey Regiment on 3 August 1940. He served with the 1st Battalion during the Second World War in North Africa, Sicily, and Italy, and was advanced to Captain. He was mortally wounded in Italy on 7 October 1943, as the battalion were advancing towards the Gustav Line, and died a few hours later. A letter written soon after by a fellow officer in the battalion to Smith’s widow Susan recounts the details:
‘Dear Mrs. Smith,
You will by now have heard the tragic news that Godfrey was killed in action on the 7th October I saw the whole thing so I can tell you what happened. We were in action and Godfrey was just leaving the Company to arrange about rations. He had not gone a hundred yards when three mortar bombs landed between him and his batman, Private Dalloway. The stretcher bearers went out straight away and brought Godfrey back to the farm where we had Company headquarters. He has been hit in the back and was quite conscious. The stretcher bearers attended to him while I sent for the doctor. When the Medical Officer came he did what he could for the poor chap, but he told me it was hopeless. Godfrey fell into a sort of coma and was not in pain when he died. His pulse just got weaker and weaker and eventually he fell asleep. Private Dalloway, who was very attached to Godfrey, was with him all the time.
I don’t want to write a sort of eulogy, but I can honestly say I have seldom met anyone who was so universally popular with all ranks. His consideration for others, his cheerfulness, and his courage endeared him to all. I don’t wish to burden you with our grief as well, but I should like you to know how very much esteemed he was by us all and how deeply we feel his loss. He was buried by our padre the next day in the vicinity of the Battalion Headquarters...’

Private Dalloway, Captain Smith’s batman, also wrote:
‘Dear Mrs. Smith,
It is with deep regret that I have to tell you that your husband passed away yesterday through enemy action. He was, like all times, very brave to the end. If ever a man was so brave, liked by everyone, and always a gentleman, than I have yet to find one who was better to me and everyone in the Battalion. Through campaigns- North Africa, Sicily, and now Italy, I’ve always been by his side in all the battles and to the last moment before he was injured I was there and only God knows how I came out without being injured. He was very happy to hear I was OK, and before he passed away he put his arm around my neck and said, “Dalloway, you’re a fine fellow.” Drawing me closer he called for “Pam, my little love”, which I know is the little daughter he was always so proud of, and then called for “Susie”; forgive me if I am personal but I believe that is you, his wife. Oh God, why should it have to be him. Pam and Susie were his last words...’

Smith was reburied after the War in the Sangro River War Cemetery, Italy. His devoted batman, Private Dalloway, survived the War.

Sold together with the named Army Council enclosure; a portrait photograph of the recipient; and various annotated photographic images.