Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A C.M.G. pair to Mr G. D. Smith, Treasurer of the Uganda Protectorate

The Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George, C.M.G., Companion’s neck badge conversion from a breast badge, silver-gilt and enamel, slight enamel damage to ‘St. George’ centre, enamel lost from one reverse ray; East and Central Africa 1897-99, 1 clasp, Uganda 1897-98 (Mr G. D. Smith), C.M.G. about very fine; medal nearly extremely fine (2) £650-750

George Douglas Smith was born on 8 February 1865, son of Charles Adamson Smith of St. Kitt’s, West Indies and Glasgow. Educated at the Glasgow Academy, he joined the Imperial British East Africa Company in 1890. He was appointed Treasurer of the Uganda Protectorate in 1894, a position he was to hold until 1918. Smith was one of 83 civil officers awarded the East & Central Africa Medal with the clasp ‘Uganda 1897-98’. For his services as Treasurer to the Uganda Protectorate he was created a Companion of the Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael & St. George (London Gazette 30 June 1905). Following on from his colonial service, he was appointed Distribution Officer under the Food Commissioner for Scotland during 1918-20. Latterly Smith was President of the Uganda Society for Scotland, 1931-36. Retiring to Stirling, he died on 26 January 1949.

Sold with original letter from the Chancery of the Order of St. Michael & St. George to Smith informing him of his award, dated 30 June 1905, this with envelope addressed to ‘George Douglas Smith Esq, c/o The Officer Administering the Government of Uganda’; also with original bestowal documents for the Order named to ‘George Douglas Smith Esquire, Treasurer of Our Uganda Protectorate’; together with copied research including photocopies of the ‘Uganda 1897-98’ medal roll for civilians.