Lot Archive

Lot

№ 844

.

21 September 2001

Hammer Price:
£1,150

Seven: Lieutenant-Colonel A. C. H. Smithett, Indian Army, who died of wounds in 1915 whilst Commanding the 76th Punjabis in Mesopotamia

India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Hazara 1888 (Lieutt., 15th Bl. Cavy.); Africa General Service 1902-56, 2 clasps, Somaliland 1902-04, Jidballi (Capt., 55th Silladar C.C.); India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1908 (Major, 21st Punjabis); 1914-15 Star (Lt. Col., 76-Punjabis); British War and Victory Medals (Lt. Col.); Delhi Durbar 1911, generally good very fine or better (7) £1200-1500

Arthur Cecil Hamilton Smithett served in the ranks for 4 years before being commissioned into the 1st Dragoon Guards in 1886. He transferred to the Indian Army in 1888 and served with the 15th Bengal Cavalry in the Hazara campaign of 1888. He was posted permanently to the 15th Bengal Cavalry in May 1891 as Squadron Officer and later served as Adjutant of the Surma Valley Light Horse from 1897 to 1902. He commanded the 55th Silladar Camel Corps in Somaliland from March 1903, including the action at Jidballi on 10 January 1904. He was appointed 2nd in command of the 76th Punjabis in 1907 and became Commandant of the regiment in 1912. He died of wounds, whilst commanding the 76th Punjabis in Mesopotamia, on 24 November 1915, and is commemorated on the Basra Memorial.