Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Six: Quartermaster Sergeant C. E. Smith, The Queen’s Regiment

India General Service 1895-1902, 2 clasps, Punjab Frontier 1897-98, Tirah 1897-98 (1477 Color Sergt. C. Smith 1st Bn. Ryl. W. Surr. Regt.); 1914-15 Star (S-598 S.Mjr. C. E. Smith. The Queen’s R.); British War and Victory Medals (S-598 W.O. Cl. 1. C. R. Smith. The Queen’s R.) note second initial; Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (1477 Q.M. Serjt: C. E. Smith. R.W. Surrey Regt.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue (Q.M. Sjt. C. E. Smith Queen’s R.) light contact marks, otherwise good very fine or better (6) £360-£400

Charles Edward Smith was born in Paddington, London, in July 1866, and enlisted into the Royal West Surrey Regiment on 14 September 1885, aged 19. He served overseas at Malta, December 1891 to January 1895, and in the East Indies from January 1895 to September 1901, taking part during the latter period in the operations of the Tirah Field Force on the Punjab Frontier in 1897-98 (Medal with two clasps). He received his L.S. & G.C. medal with a Gratuity of £5 per Army Order 172 of 1904. He was discharged at Guildford on 6 December 1906, having completed 23 years’ service with the Colours.

On the outbreak of the Great War, Smith volunteered for further service with his old regiment and, on 12 September 1914, he enlisted as a Special Reservist, then aged 48 and an enquiry officer by occupation. He was immediately appointed Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant in the 7th (Service) Battalion. In March 1915, he was promoted to Regimental Sergeant Major, and served in this capacity of the Western Front between July 1915 and February 1917. He was demobilised in June 1919, and in his later years lived at Ealing, West London. Smith was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal in Army Order 205 of 1941.

Sold with further research including copied discharge papers and a copy photograph of the recipient in uniform.