Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Private R. G. Smith, 2nd Battalion, Border Regiment, who was killed in action at Kruiseecke Hill, during the First Battle of Ypres, on 26 October 1914

1914 Star (7611 Pte. R. G. Smith. 2/Bord: R.); British War and Victory Medals (7611 Pte. R. G. Smith. Bord. R.) toned, good very fine (3) £160-£200

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Barry Hobbs Collection of Great War Medals.

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Robert George Smith was born at Ratcliffe, London and attested for the Border Regiment at Stratford, Essex in 1904. Following the outbreak of the Great War he served with the 2nd Battalion on the Western Front from 5 October 1914, his battalion moving forward to Ypres on 14 October then on to Zillebeke on 15 October and entrenched on Kruiseecke Hill on 20 October with the battalion’s front covering over 2 miles.

As the enemy began their attack in force on 24 October, the battalion was given the order that - ‘trenches were to be held at all costs’:
‘Battalion’s positions came under heavy bombardment - trenches being commanded on three sides by enemy artillery, particularly from guns situated on America Ridge about 1 mile to the south-east. One officer calculated 1500 enemy shells during a 10 hour period. Colonel Wylly notes that it was impossible to leave the trenches by day, rations and supplies having to be brought up by night. There were no telephonic communications - messages being carried by runners, and enemy snipers were operating from 300 yards. Machine-gun section blown out of its position during night and one gun buried. Detachment under Lieutenant Wilson forced to retire to second position. Lieutenant Watson led his party back during night (25th) and upon seeing the enemy advancing in large numbers moved his gun to a more forward position where his section inflicted high casualties from 300 yards throughout the day. party of some 200 Germans entered line to the left of “B” Company and indicated that they wished to surrender. However, when Major Allen and six men moved out to bring them in he was killed with one other man. Front-line trenches held by “A” and “B” Companies taken (26th) - 70 survivors driven to the rear... later with Headquarters personnel, held off further enemy advance. “C” Company under Captain Molyneux-Seel brought up in support. Battalion ordered to retire to Zandvoorde during evening.’ (British Battalions in France and Belgium 1914 by Ray Westlake refers)

Private R. G. Smith was recorded killed on or since 26 October 1914. He was the husband of Elizabeth Smith and is buried in Zantvoorde British Cemetery, Belgium.