Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Four: Master at Arms W. A. Smith, Royal Navy

1914-15 Star (156783, W. A. Smith, M.A.A., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (156783 W. A. Smith M.A.A. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (156783 W. A. Smith. M.A.A. H.M.S. Vivid) nearly extremely fine (4) £100-£140

William Alfred Smith declared his date of birth on enlistment to be 15 June 1875, he was born at Devonport. He commenced naval service as Boy Second Class in H.M.S. Impregnable on 8 August 1890. In December 1894 he was posted to H.M.S. Lion, and then to H.M.S. Royal Sovereign, being appointed Ordinary Seaman on 1 April 1898 and Able Seaman on 18 November 1898. He was advanced to Leading Seaman, H.M.S. Sybille on 26 March 1903. He subsequently served in several ships including H.M.S. Benbow, H.M.S. Renown, and was appointed Ships Corporal to H.M.S. Vivid. He was appointed to be Master at Arms, H.M.S. Monmouth in February 1913. During the Great War he served in H.M.S. Erin, H.M.S. Vivid I, and H.M.S. Dalhousie, and was invalided to shore pension in January 1917. He was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in February 1913. His service record is noted that his actual date of birth was 28 February 1875, but that his naval service would be based on his declared age on enlistment.