Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘Western Front’ D.S.O. and M.C. group of six awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel R. G. Smithard, King’s Shropshire Light Infantry

Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamels, with integral top ribbon bar; Military Cross, G.V.R., the reverse inscribed ‘Capt. R. G. Smithard Shrops L.I.’; 1914-15 Star (Capt. R. G. Smithard. Shrops. L.I.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Lt. Col. R. G. Smithard.); India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Waziristan 1921-24, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Capt. R. G. Smithard. K.S.L.I.) mounted court-style as worn, very fine (6) £2,200-£2,600

D.S.O. London Gazette 2 December 1918:

‘Capt. (T./Lt. Col.) Richard Glasse Smithard, M.C., 7th Bn., Shrops. L.I.
For conspicuous gallantry and skilful handling of his battalion in the recapture of a position. After personally reconnoitring the line of advance, he got his battalion round a heavily gassed area, and in spite of thick fog successfully gained his objective, thereby materially assisting the advance of the battalion on his right. Two days later, he made a further advance and consolidated his position. It was due to his fine example and fine leadership that the battalion successfully fulfilled its mission.’

M.C. London Gazette 20 October 1916:

‘For conspicuous gallantry as intelligence officer. Prior to our attack he reconnoitred the enemy’s position in front of our line on several occasions. When the attack was held up by wire, he got accurate information of the situation, and, by working across the open to a flank, was able to support bomb and machine gun attacks, which inflicted heavy losses on the enemy, and assisted much in the capture of the position.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 28 December 1918 (France), and 13 March 1925 (Waziristan).

Richard Glasse Smithard was born on 11 June 1891, and educated at Ealing Grammar and Emanuel School He served in the ranks for 16 days before being commissioned into the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry as Temporary 2nd Lieutenant on 25 September 1914; Temporary Lieutenant, 19 December 1915; Temporary Captain, 25 September 1915, and proceeded to France the same day; Temporary Major, 1 September 1916; Captain, Shropshire L.I., 1 November 1916; Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding 7th Battalion, Shropshire L.I., 31 May 1918 to 27 June 1919; Waziristan 1921-24, Staff Captain (despatches); Major 1933; died on 4 January 1939.