Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Private W. A. Smith, 5th Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, who was killed in action at Bois de Blancy, France, on 4 April 1918

British War and Victory Medals (30105 Pte. W. A. Smith. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.); Memorial Plaque (William Allan Smith) drilled with three holes for mounting, very fine (3) £60-£80

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the Collection of the Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum.

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William Allan Smith was born at Berts Mourton, Worcestershire, and enlisted at Worcester into the 5th Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. He was killed in action on 4 April 1918 at Bois de Blancy, east of Hamel: ‘Heavy bombardment opens at 5.25 am; about 8.00 Germans attack employing at least 4 waves of troops. Both flanks go, Battalion forced to evacuate position. Line taken up South of Varied. 1 2/Lt killed and 6 wounded. 1 Major and 1 Lt missing. 160 other ranks killed, wounded or missing.’ He was the son of Mrs Annie Smith, of Castlemorton, Malvern, Worcestershire, and is commemorated by name in Heath Cemetery, Harbonnieres.