The Collection of Medals to Welsh Regiments formed by the Late Llewellyn Lord

The Crimea medal awarded to Sergeant-Major W. H. Smith, 23rd Foot, who carried the regimental colour at the Alma after Lieutenant Butler was killed, was awarded the D.C.M., and was afterwards severely wounded at the final battle of the Redan

Crimea 1854-56, 3 clasps, Alma, Inkermann, Sebastopol (Serjt. Major W. H. Smith, 23rd R. W. Fusrs.) contemporary engraved naming, light contact marks, otherwise good very fine £400-500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Medals to Welsh Regiments formed by the Late Llewellyn Lord.

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D.C.M. recommendation dated 15 January 1855 with Gratuity of £15.

William Honey Smith first enlisted for the 23rd Foot on 20 September 1836 at Oxford, aged 18 years. He was promoted to Corporal on 1 July 1842; Sergeant, 1 November 1846; Colour-Sergeant, 16 July 1851; Sergeant-Major, 22 September 1854. He ‘was present at the Battles of Alma and Inkermann, also at the storming of the Redan’, 8 September 1855, on which occasion he was severely wounded.

At the battle of the Alma, ‘the regimental colour was carried by Sergeant Honey Smith after Lieutenant Butler fell; it was intrusted to him by Major-General Codrington, as no officer could be spared from his company.’ (Stories on Land and Sea, edited by G. A. Henty refers).

A few days after the attack on the Redan, Colonel Lysons, commanding 23rd Fusiliers, submitted a recommendation for the promotion of Sergeant-Major Smith to the rank of Quarter-Master in the regiment. He wrote: ‘I beg respectfully to recommend Sergeant Major Honey Smith 23rd Fusrs. for the favourable consideration of the General Commanding in Chief to be appointed permanent Quarter Master of the regiment, in the event of Mr Aston being approved of as Pay Master, he is a most respectable old non-commissioned officer, he has never been absent from the regiment since it left England and during the difficulties of the last winter he was invaluable. At present I regret to say he is in hospital severely wounded but I hope to regain his services before his appointment could arrive.’ Sold with copied research.