SMITH, HUGH WILLIAM, Lieutenant, was
born 30 May 1873, son of Horace Smith, Metropolitan Magistrate of
Westminster, and Susan, daughter of the Reverend C Watkins. He was educated
at Uppingham, and gazetted to the Royal West Surrey Regiment 17 December
1892, as Second Lieutenant, becoming Lieutenant 29 September 1896. He
served with the expedition to South Borgu and Lagos Hinterland, 1897-99
(Medal with clasp). In the South African War he served from 1899 to 1902,
with the 2nd Queen's Regiment and Damant's Horse; was present at the Relief
of Ladysmith, including action at Colenso, and at the operations of 17 to 24
January 1900 (wounded 21 January), and action at Spion Kop); operations of 5
to 7 February 1900, and action at Vaal Kranz; operations on Tugela Heights
(14 to 27 February 1900), and action at Pieter's Hill. Operations in Natal,
March to June 1900, including action at Laing's Nek (6 to 9 January).
Operations in the Transvaal 30 November 1900 to September 1901, and October
to November 1901. Operations in Orange River Colony, September to October
1901, and November 1901 to 31 May 1902. He was mentioned in Despatches (Sir
R Buller, 3 February, 30 March and 9 November 1900 [London Gazette, 8
February 1901]); received the Queen's Medal with six clasps, the King's
Medal with two clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished
Service Order [London Gazette, 19 April 1901]: "Hugh William Smith,
Lieutenant, Royal West Surrey Regiment. In recognition of services
during the operations in South Africa". The Insignia were sent to the
Commander-in-Chief, South Africa, and presented by HRH the Duke of Cornwall
and York 14 August 1901. He was promoted to Captain 24 August 1901, and was
Adjutant, Royal West Surrey Regiment, 27 June 1902 to 27 May 1904; was
Assistant Resident in Northern Nigeria 26 May 1904 to 11 September 1905, and
appointed Officer, Company of Gentlemen Cadets, Royal Military College, 30
January 1906 to 29 January 1910; was Adjutant (attached General Staff),
Officers' Training Corps, 22 January 1911 to 16 January 1913, and was
employed under the Australian Government 17 January 1913 to 8 September
1915. He served in the European War from 1914 to 4 October 1915; was
promoted to Major 5 November 1914, and became Temporary Lieutenant Colonel
10 October 1915. He commanded the 2nd Battalion The Queen's Regiment,
October 1915 to March 1916; was Commandant, General Headquarters Cadet
School, BEF, August 1916 to May 1917; Commandant Officer, Cadet Battalion,
October 1917 to October 1918; Officer Commanding, No 3 Young Soldiers'
Battalion, BEF, November 1918 to December 1918; Officer Commanding, IX Corps
Schools, BEF, January 1919. He was given the Brevet of Lieutenant Colonel
in June 1917.
DSO, East & West
Africa (1) 1898 (Lt & Insp, Lagos Hausa Force), QSA (6) CC T-H OFS RofL
Trans L-N (Capt, DSO, RWS), KSA (2) (Capt & Adj, DSO, The Queens), 1914-15
Star (Maj, DSO, The Queens), BWM, Victory Medal with MID (Lt Col), Special
Constabulary Medal (GV).
Glendinings 1994
est £700-900.
