Auction Catalogue

12 November 2020

Starting at 10:00 AM

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Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

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Lot

№ 775

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12 November 2020

Hammer Price:
£300

An important Memorial Plaque to Lieutenant W. G. R. Smith, 21st Divisional Cyclist Company, Army Cyclist Corps, who served as an ambulance driver with his sister Grace McDougall as one of the first FANYS to serve in the French theatre of war from October 1914. He was later commissioned and transferred for service with the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry and the Army Cyclist Corps - being killed in action trying to rescue a wounded comrade on the Western Front, 26 January 1916

Memorial Plaque (William George Rae Smith) very fine £400-£500

William George Rae Smith was born in Aberdeen in July 1889. He was the son of Charles Smith, a merchant grocer, and was educated at Aberdeen Grammar School and Aberdeen University. Having studied agriculture at the latter, Smith travelled to New Zealand where he was employed in sheep farming, and trading in New Guinea and the South Sea Islands. He also led a small expedition through Patagonia, his report of which was published in the Magazine of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society.

Smith then undertook stock farming in Rhodesia, and was a member of the Legion of Frontiersmen. He acted for a time as Commandant for Scotland, and raised companies of the legion in Aberdeen and Edinburgh. Smith was still in Rhodesia at the outbreak of the Great War, and he ‘came home to enlist. He first joined a New Zealand Corps, but transferred to the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry, and drove an ambulance on the Belgian front for three months. In January, 1915, he joined the Royal Horse Artillery, but very shortly after he was gazetted to a commission in the 10th King’s Own (Yorkshire Light Infantry). In due course he was transferred to the 21st Divisional Cyclists, and in September he went to France.

Early in January a spell on leave was due to him, but instead of taking it he wrote home: “Everyone says I’m a fool to put off my leave, but what’s the good of leave if you haven’t done something worth while? If I come through this (a scheme which he had evolved) it may mean a Military Cross.” Lieut. Smith met his death while saving a wounded comrade. Born in Aberdeen 26 years ago, he leaves a widow and two children. His brother, who was an officer in the 3rd Dragoon Guards, died of wounds last May.’ (
Evening Post, 28 March 1916 refers)

Smith was the brother of Grace Alexandra Smith, or Grace McDougall as she was to become know after marriage. The latter being credited with reinventing the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry - she raised money for an ambulance, and the first six FANYS left for France, 27 October 1914. The six comprised of 3 nurses, 2 orderly’s and Smith as the ambulance driver.

Having been commissioned in February 1915, it was with the 21st Divisional Cyclist Company, Army Cyclist Corps that Smith was killed in action on the Western Front, 26 (also recorded as the 25th) January 1916 (some sources record him as being recommended for a V.C., and as being M.I.D.). Lieutenant Smith is buried in the Cite Bonjean Military Cemetery, Armentieres, France.

Sold with copied research, including a photographic image of recipient in uniform.