Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine 'Casualty’ British War Medal awarded to Acting Corporal G. J. Smith, M.M., 'P' Special Company, Royal Engineers, who served as part of a highly specialised unit of 'Chemical Soldiers' and was one of a select band whose gallantry was later recognised with the award of the Military Medal

British War Medal 1914-20 (153837 2-Cpl. G. J. Smith. R.E.) nearly extremely fine £50-£70

M.M. London Gazette 9 July 1917.

George James Smith was born in Bath in 1884 and was one of approximately 5,500 men selected to serve with the 'Special Brigades' during the Great War. Tasked with delivering vast quantities of poison gas among enemy trenches, the work proved exceptionally dangerous with a near 100% casualty rate among the Royal Engineers. Posted to 'P' Special Company, Smith was present at Noreuil on 6 May 1917 when German artillery fire caused a major explosion of powder charges; the Battalion War Diary notes high casualties among the men of 'P', 'G' and 'Z' Special Companies, with just 15 survivors making their way back to camp. 

Two months later Smith was awarded the Military Medal, his story being published in the Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette on 21 July 1917:

'Bath Postman wins the Military Medal: Sapper G. J. Smith, husband of Mrs. Smith of 1, Thomas Street, Walcot, and youngest son of Mr. G. A. Smith of Claremont, has been awarded the Military Medal and promoted on the field for bravery in rescuing wounded under heavy shell fire. He served two years in the Bath Post Office as postman previous to enlistment, and had been at the front about twelve months before he won the distinction mentioned. Since the award he has been wounded in the right shoulder, and is now in hospital...' 

Recovered from this wound, Smith returned to the Western Front as Corporal 2nd Class and is recorded on 27 May 1918 as suffering from laryngitis whilst still in the service of 'P' Special Company. He survived the war and was discharged on 15 October 1919. 

Sold with copied research including a photograph of the recipient in military uniform.