Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Abyssinia 1867 (490 J. Smith 33rd D.W. Regt.) light contact marks, otherwise very fine £260-300

John Smith was born in Bermondsey, London, and enlisted into the 33rd Foot at Finsbury on 23 March 1858, aged 24, a labourer by trade. He joined the 1st Battalion in India in November 1861, remaining there until transferred to Abyssinia in March 1868, as part of the expeditionary force being assembled under the command of Sir Robert Napier. In the ensuing campaign the 33rd had 2 killed and 27 wounded, and two soldiers were awarded the Victoria Cross. Smith returned to England in June 1868, and thereafter served at various stations in England and Ireland before returning to India in late 1875. Most of his second period of India was spent in hospital, and he was eventually recommended for discharge by a Regimental Board at Kamtee on 24 March 1879, as being unfit for further service. He returned to England where his final discharge was formally approved at the Royal Hospital, Netley, on 23 June 1879.

Sold with copied discharge papers and medal roll extract.