Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Second Lieutenant G. A. Smith-Masters, Bedfordshire Regiment, killed in action in Flanders in August 1915

1914-15 Star (2 Lieut., Bedf. R.); British War and Victory Medals (2 Lieut.) nearly extremely fine (3) £350-400

George Arthur Smith-Masters was born on 29 December 1894, at Kidmore End, Oxfordshire, the son of the Reverend John Ernest Smith-Masters and Eliza Margaret Smith-Masters. Educated at Haileybury and Oxford University, he had served in the O.T.C. of both establishments and was attending the latter on the outbreak of war. He was granted a commission in the 6th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment on 22 August 1914, and was killed in action in Flanders on 19 August 1915, aged 20 years. He was buried in the Dranoutre Military Cemetery, Heuvelland, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Sold with copied service papers and correspondence. In the latter is revealed a further upset for the family as certain items of Lieutenant Smith-Masters’ kit, whilst being returned home, were stolen in transit.

Two of George Arthur’s brothers are known to have served in the war. Captain Bruce Swinton Smith-Masters, M.C., Essex Regiment, was killed in action on 1 July 1916. For the medals of Reverend Harold Allan Smith-Masters, Army Chaplain’s Department and Royal Air Force, see lot 1022.