A SUPERB "GUILLEMONT" MILITARY MEDAL


& 1914-15 Trio,
Defence Medal & T.F.E.M.


With Ultra Rare ORIGINAL CITATION DOCUMENT & Huge 50 page Folder of Original Papers & Photos.

To:
253. (Later 240036) Sgt J.D. Smith 1/6th LIVERPOOL Rgt T.F.
( 2nd V.B. King's Liverpool Rifles)

[BIOGRAPHY]
Joseph William Smith was born in Monzie Parish, Trinity College, Glenalmond, Perthshire, Scotland at 5:30pm on 16th September 1882. His farther, John Smith was a Porter at the college. (Birth Certificate present). It appears that John's dad met his mother Mary while on holiday in Blackpool as she, formerly Mary Denniston, was from Lytham St Anne's. They married there on 22nd November 1881.

The family moved to Liverpool in the early 1900's and were resident at 65 Hatherley Road, Toxteth (picture). In 1896 at age of 14 Joseph went to work as a junior clerk for Liverpool corporation electrical supply department. The Smiths then moved to a larger house at 20 Fletcher Drive, Cressington (picture).

In 1899 at the age of 17 Joseph joined the 2nd Bn King's Regt (Rifles) and was established into the Signals Section attending several summer camps (several pictures). On 6th April 1908 the unit became 6th Bn King's Liverpool Regt. By 1911 Joseph had reached the rank of Sergeant and was awarded the Territorial Efficiency Medal. He had also at this time been an early member of the Liverpool Miniature Rifle Association from which he received a silver shooting medal (1913) and two bronze medals (1910-11 & 1912) all three of these enamelled awards are included with the group. These and all the various badges and tags are pictured at the bottom of this listing.

[THE GREAT WAR, To France, 25th February 1915]
At the outbreak of war the unit was sent to Canterbury in Kent where it was worked up into a battle worthy condition. The men of 1/6th (Rifle Bn) Liverpool Regt were transported to France in SS City of Edinburgh and landed at Le Havre on 25th February 1915. Their first action was during the 2nd Battle of Ypres where on 5/6th May they took part in the recapture of "Hill 60". The unit sustained 100 casualties with 22 dead during this action during which Joe Smith served with the signals company.

In August 1916 the 1/6th Liverpool Rifles were on The Somme as part of the 55th West Lancs division and it was here during the September German counter attack at the village of GUILLEMONT that Sgt Smith won his MM for bravery while maintaining communications under heavy shell fire.

Some few days earlier on 9th August and at this very spot, Capt Noel Chavasse of 10th LIVERPOOLS (R.A.M.C.) had won the first of his two awards of The Victoria Cross.

[THE ORIGINAL M.M. CITATION, ON ITS ORIGINAL DOCUMENT]
L.G. 11th NOVEMBER 1916
"At GUILLEMONT Village, SOMME VALLEY September 1916, during a determined counter attack, this non commissioned officer, by his personal efforts and steady example successfully kept up communications with the supporting troops though under heavy fire from the enemy artillery, thereby enabling the commander to receive accurate information which led to the complete repulse of the attack. He has served continuously with his regiment since February 1915."

[LATER 1916]
Later in 1916 the 1/6th took part in:
Battle of GINCHY 4-6th September.
Battle of FLERS-COURCELETTE 17-22th September.
Battle of MORVAL 25-28th September.

[1917 3rd BATTLE OF YPRES]
Battle of PILCKEM RIDGE 31 July - 2nd August.
Battle of MENIN ROAD 20-23rd September.
Battle of CAMBRAI 20th November - 3rd December.

Joe Smith was returned to the United Kingdom in March 1918 just before the German Spring Offensive as "WAR WORN" He was 36, and was then transferred into the 5th Liverpools (reserves) before being demobbed with an honourable discharge on 14th February 1919. (Certificate) being issued with an honourable discharge certificate on 12th March 1919. Also included is his official army discharge certificate. He then resided at 23 Sandlea Park, West Kirkby.

[WORLD WAR TWO]...... 89th (COUNTY OF LANCASTER) ("LIVERPOOL") HOME GUARD]

Having worked for Liverpool Corporation from a young age Joe was a steward at the opening of the first Mersey Tunnel "Queensway" on 18th July 1934. (Silk badge). During the Second World War he was a member of the Liverpool Home Guard and took part in the security arrangements at the Mersey Tunnel and at the docks. Also present is a seldom seen Home Guard Service Certificate and a seriously rare Home Guard Exemplary Service Certificate with commander's citation. Also included is an illustrated year by year official history of the Liverpool home guard which deals the main incidents in the city during the blitz and includes details of some greatly humorous wartime incidents. Post WW2 Joe was also a member of the local Masonic lodge and his membership card is present.

[SUMMARY]
This is a truly wonderful, seriously comprehensive & quite massive assembly. The rare original papers and photographs run to over 50 pages in a large pocket ring folder. Just about everything is here including a WW1 Christmas 1915 gift of an inscribed wallet, many photos, several of his marriage & a selection of photos from summer holidays taken in the sand dunes at nearby Southport after WW1. We can't ever remember seeing such an extensively documented gallantry group before. This is practically a complete life story of one exceptional soldier.
Joseph Smith died of a stroke at home in 1946 aged just 64.

Two wars fought and a gallant life well lived.
















A totally inclusive grouping right down to it's rare original M.M. citation, which having been produced on an old spirit duplicator even survives with it's classic purple text on it's original piece of paper. Also includes all of Joe Smith's original badges, buttons & dog tags.
A Truly Astonishing Assembly.

If you seriously collect to the Liverpool Regt.......this is for you !
Superb & Totally Unique.

SOLD