Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

An Albert Medal for Sea pair awarded to Commissioned Engineer H. Smith, Royal Navy, for gallantry in saving the lives of two stokers following the outbreak of a fire in the boiler room of the Torpedo Boat Destroyer Rob Roy during sea trials on 13 May 1920

Albert Medal, 2nd Class, for Gallantry in Saving Life at Sea, bronze and enamel, the reverse officially engraved ‘Awarded to Harry Smith, Commissioned Engineer R.N., for Gallantry in saving life in H.M.S. “Rob Roy” on the 13th. May, 1920.’; Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Persian Gulf 1909-1914 (Artr. Engr., H. Smith. R.N. H.M.S. Highflyer) light contact marks, very fine, the Albert Medal better (2) £5,000-£7,000

A.M. London Gazette 5 October 1920:

‘On the 13th May last, while H.M. Torpedo Boat Destroyer Rob Roy was proceeding at utmost speed on a full-power trial, a fire broke out in the forward boiler-room. With entire disregard of his own safety, Mr. Smith immediately went below to search for the two ratings who were still there, and to shut off the boilers under extreme difficulties owing to the heat, escaping steam and water, and knowing in doing so the danger he ran from the burning oil fuel and the unconsumed gases accentuated by the confined and congested space of a destroyer’s boiler room. Owing to his prompt action and presence of mind, Mr. Smith localised the damage and saved the lives of all who were below.’