| Smith | Leonard Kirke | | Lieutenant | SMITH, LEONARD KIRKE, Lieutenant, was born 24 January 1877, at Cliffe House, near Sheffield, son of Francis Patrick Smith, of Barnes Hall, near Sheffield, and Margaret Scott Smith, his wife. He was educated at Charterhouse, and joined the Army 20 February 1897, as a Second Lieutenant in the Royal Scots, becoming Lieutenant 22 April 1899. He served in South Africa with the Mounted Infantry, 1899 to 1902, and was present at the Relief of Kimberley; operations in the Orange Free State, February to May 1900, including operations at Paardeberg (17 to 20 February); actions at Poplar Grove and Driefontein; operations in Cape Colony, south of Orange River, 1899-1900, including actions at Colesberg (1 January to 12 February); operations in the Transvaal and Orange River Colony, April 1901 to 31 May 1902. He was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 4 May 1900, and 10 September 1901]; received the Queen's Medal with four clasps, the King's Medal with two clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 27 September 1901]: "Leonard Kirke Smith, Lieutenant, The Royal Scots. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". The Insignia were sent to the Commander-in-Chief in India, and presented by the General Officer Commanding at Nagpore District at Full Parade, 4 April 1903. He became Captain 9 May 1903, and served as Adjutant, Royal Scots, 24 November 1903 to 4 April 1906, then being employed as Adjutant of Militia and of Special Reserve until 1 January 1911. He served with the Egyptian Army from 23 March 1911 onwards. Captain Smith was, for a period in 1915, Temporary Major until promoted to substantive rank 1 September 1915, and was Temporary Lieutenant Colonel from September 1916 to June 1918. He was given the Brevet of Lieutenant Colonel 3 June 1918. He had the 3rd Class Order of the Nile. He married, on 14 August 1914, at Holy Trinity, Brompton, Vera, daughter of Captain C H Hicks, Lancashire Fusiliers, and Mrs Hicks, and granddaughter of Hicks Pasha, and they had two sons, Peter McKenzie, born 4 August 1916, and Michael McKenzie, born 27 July 1917.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) |
