| Surname: | Smith |
| Initials: | J |
| Rank: | Corporal |
| Army Number: | Not Known |
| Notes: | MMP. James Smith. Leicester Post 14/11/1919. Investiture by the King. Nearly 300 Decorations. The King held an investiture yesterday at Buckingham Palace and bestowed decorations to nearly three hundred Ladies and Gentlemen. The occasion was specially interesting as marking the resumption of indoor investitures and the admission of friends of the recipients of honour to witness the ceremony. His Majesty wore military uniform , and was attended by Captain Sir Bryan Godfrey-Fausett, the Hon. Sir Dereck Keppel, the Hon. Henry Stoner, Lt/Gen., Sir Douglas Dawson and other officials. About four hundred Ladies and Gentlemen assembled in the Ball Room as spectators. As the King entered and took his place on the Throne Dais, the Guards' Band, stationed in the organ loft at the other end of the apartment played the National Anthem. A similar compliment was paid when His Majesty retired, and throughout the ceremony the musicians rendered various selections. Corporal James Smith of the Military Mounded Police received the Albert Medal. For a brave endeavour to rescue an entombed Frenchman from a brewery which was on fire and partly wrecked. The corporal with Major Smith ans Sergeant Gibson, made their attempt in circumstances which threatened almost certain death. Presentation also reported in the Scotsman 14/11/1919 and the Gloucester Journal 12/7/1919. |
Decoration Record: | |
| Decoration: | Albert Medal (London Gazette: 31440 Page: 8596 July 8, 1919) |
| Citation: | MMP. Albert Medal Citation.CORPORAL JAMES SMITHMILITARY MOUNTED POLICEThe King has been pleased to award the Albert Medal to Lieutenant (acting Major) William Revell Smith, MC, RFA, Sergeant Alexander Gibson, Royal Engineers, and Corporal James Smith, Military Mounted Police, in recognition of their gallantry in endeavouring to save life at Wizernes in January last. On the 17th January, 1919, a fire occurred at the brewery at Wizernes. In the engine room a Frenchman, whose cries for help could be heard, had been entombed by a fall of masonry which completely blocked the entrance. The upper part of the building was blazing fiercely, and the only entrance to the engine room was by a small hole in the wall which carried the machinery belting. Major Smith, Sergeant Gibson, and Corporal Smith succeeded in making their way through this hole into the room, and worked for three quarters of an hour before they exposed the head and shoulder of the entombed man, who was found to be dead.They undoubtedly risked their lives in endeavouring to save life, for a further collapse of masonry (which appeared imminent) would have completely cut off their exit. |