| Smith | Frederick | | Captain | SMITH, FREDERICK, Captain, was born in 1858. He was educated for the medical profession (LRCPI, LRCSI, DPH, Durham), and joined the Army; served in the Zulu War, 1879, receiving the Medal with clasp; on the North-West Frontier of India, 1897-98, and accompanied the Mohmund Expedition (Medal and clasp). He served in Sierra Leone in 1898 and 1899, taking part in the Mendi and Protectorate Expeditions (Medal with clasp). He served in the South African War, 1900-1; attached to the 2nd Wiltshire Regiment, and later on as Secretary to PMO; took part in operations in the Orange Free State, February to May 1900; operations in Orange River Colony and the Transvaal, east of Pretoria, May to 29 November 1900, including actions at Biddulphsberg, Bethlehem (6 and 7 July) and Wittebergen (1 to 29 July); operations in Cape Colony, south of Orange River, 1899-1900; operations in the Transvaal 30 November 1900 to May 1901. He became a Captain, RAMC, 30 March 1890. For his services in South Africa he was mentioned in Despatches [London Gazette, 10 September 1901]; received the Queen's Medal and four clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 27 September 1901]: "Frederick Smith, Captain, Royal Army Medical Corps. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa". The Insignia were presented by the King 2 June 1902, and the Warrant sent 4 June 1902. He was promoted to Major 30 March 1902. He served in the European War; on mobilization he commanded a stationary hospital; afterwards took command of a general hospital in France; was promoted to be ADMS of a division, and finally DDMS of a corps. He received the Mons Star; was twice mentioned in Despatches; created a CMG (1916), and a CB (1918), and promoted Brevet Colonel. Colonel Smith was the author of 'Modern Bullet Wounds' (1903) and 'Drainage in Tropical Countries' (1904). He married Jane Violet Laing, and has one daughter and two sons: Violet Overton; Hector, and Helier Laing.
CB (m), CMG, DSO, SAGS 1879 (not recipient's, but entitled), East & West Africa (1) Sierra Leone 1898-9 (Capt, RAMC), QSA (4) CC Trans Witt SA 01 Maj, DSO, RAMC), 1914 Star, BWM, Victory Medal (Col), 1911 Coronation (Maj). Regimental Museum, Aldershot 1993.
Source: DSO recipients (VC and DSO Book) | Royal Army Medical Corps |
