First World War British Medal Pair - Private John C. Smith, 9th Bn. Royal Scots
British War Medal - 62853 PTE. J. C. SMITH. R. SCOTS.
Victory Medal - 62853 PTE. J. C. SMITH. R. SCOTS.
John C. Smith, service number 62853, served with the 9th Bn. Royal Scots during the First World War. Surviving records show him serving in France and being admitted to hospital in May 1919, shortly after the end of hostilities, with a minor ailment (recorded as scabies). These late-war medical sheets confirm his identity clearly under the initials J. C. and with the same regimental number found on his medal card.
A point of interest with Smith’s service is a Distinguished Conduct Medal citation published in the London Gazette in April 1918 for an A/Corporal R. Smith, 62853, Royal Scots, credited to “Armadale.” The citation describes a man of exceptional bravery, repeatedly going out into No Man’s Land under heavy fire to bring in wounded men, undoubtedly saving many lives through his courage and initiative. The citation reads:
“For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He did excellent work on many occasions, and especially after an attack, when he repeatedly searched No Man's Land under machine-gun and rifle fire, and brought in many wounded men. By his courage, zeal and initiative he undoubtedly saved many lives.”
Although the service number matches, the Gazette prints the initial “R.”, not “J.”. No surviving service papers exist for Smith to conclusively resolve this discrepancy. It remains uncertain whether the award belongs to him, or whether another man with the same number briefly used a different initial, or whether a clerical error occurred when the citation was prepared. As it stands, the gallantry award cannot be positively attributed to John C. Smith, though collectors may note the anomaly.
What is certain is that Smith served with the Royal Scots throughout the late stages of the war and was still with the regiment well into 1919, long after the Armistice, before finally being discharged.
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