SMITH, HORACE MACKENZIE, Lieutenant,
was born 27 July 1870, son of Henry Smith, of Ellingham Hall, Bungay,
Suffolk, and of his second wife, Mary Grey, eldest daughter of James Dowse
and widow of the Reverend H P Measor. He entered the Army 9 April 1892;
became Lieutenant 22 December 1894, and was employed with the West African
Frontier Force 3 July 1898 to 13 October 1899. He served in the South
African War, in the Orange Free State, February to May 1909, including the
action at Poplar Grove (wounded); operations in the Transvaal 30 November
1900 to 31 May 1902. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 10
September 1901]; received the Queen's Medal with two clasps; the King's
Medal with two clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished
Service Order [London Gazette, 27 September 1901]: "Horace Mackenzie Smith,
Lieutenant, Shropshire Light Infantry. In recognition of services during
the operations in South Africa". The Insignia were presented by the King 13
December 1902. He was promoted to Captain 9 March 1901, to Major 6 March
1912; was in command of a Service Battalion, Shropshire Light Infantry, 19
August 1914 to 15 August 1915; Temporary Lieutenant Colonel commanding a
Reserve Battalion Royal Fusiliers 24 May to 26 July 1916; Temporary
Lieutenant Colonel 28 July 1916 to 14 March 1917; in command Reserve
Battalion Norfolk Regiment 28 July 1916; in command Battalion Training
Reserve 1 September 1916 to 14 March 1917; Temporary Lieutenant Colonel
commanding Service Battalion Shropshire Light Infantry 8 April 1917 to 12
May 1918. He was given the Brevet of Lieutenant Colonel 2 March 1918.
Lieutenant Colonel H M Smith married, in 1904, Margaret Esther Hamilton,
youngest daughter of Rear Admiral H Hamilton Beamish, CB, and they had one
son and two daughters.
