Military Awards from the Collection of John Tamplin

India General Service 1854-95, 2 clasps, Burma 1885-7, Chin-Lushai 1889-90 (Surgeon M. H. Smith, 3rd Madras Infy.) second clasp loose on ribbon as issued, nearly extremely fine £250-300

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Military Awards from the Collection of John Tamplin.

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Maurice Henry Smith was born on 23 April 1850, only son of Doctor Henry Spencer Smith, F.R.C.S. He received his medical training at St Mary’s, and in Paris. Smith became a M.R.C.S., England, in 1875. In 1876 he became a L.R.C.P., Edinburgh, and also in the same year a L.M. He was admitted in September 1876 into the Indian Medical Service, and was appointed a Surgeon with seniority 31 March 1876 in the Madras Establishment. Arriving in India he was posted to a General Hospital, and at the end of 1877 he was in the Southern District. In 1878 he was doing duty in Cochin, and at the close of that year he was with the 20th Madras Native Infantry at Nowgong, officiating in Medical charge, and in charge of Bundelcund Political Agency. He also served for a short while with the Nagpore Force.

On 7 July 1879 Surgeon Smith was appointed to the 3rd, or Palamcottah, Madras Light Infantry, and on 6 January 1881 he was posted as Surgeon to that regiment, with which he was to serve the remainder of his military career. In 1885 the regiment was under orders for Cannonore, and later for Trichinopoly, although still stationed at Tounghoo. The following year the regiment was stationed at Ningyan, and during this period it took part in the Burmese campaign. Surgeon Smith served in the operations around Hlinedet, Yemethen and Nyingyan, and in the operations of the 3rd Brigade. Whilst on leave he was promoted to Surgeon Major in June 1888, and returning from furlough in 1889, rejoined his regiment which, later that year, was concentrated at Madras. He then took part in the Chin-Lushai operations of 1889-90 on the North East Frontier of India.

Smith was promoted Surgeon Lieutenant-Colonel in June 1896, with seniority 31 March 1896. In January 1897 he was transferred to the half-pay List, with effect 23 October 1896, and he retired from active service from that date. Surgeon Lieutenant-Colonel M. H. Smith, M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., L.M., died on 12 October 1905, aged 55. Sold with further details including copies of his Will.