Alfred Victor Smith

Alfred Victor Smith VC Croix de Guerre (France) (22 July 1891-23 December 1915) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

He was 24 years old, and a second lieutenant in the 1/5th Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment, British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 23 December 1915 at Helles, Gallipoli, Turkey, Second Lieutenant Smith was in the act of throwing a grenade when it slipped from his hand and fell to the bottom of the trench close to several officers and men. He immediately shouted a warning and jumped clear to safety. He then saw that the officers and men were unable to find cover and knowing that the grenade was due to explode at any moment, he returned and flung himself upon it. He was instantly killed by the explosion. He is buried in Twelve Tree Copse Cemetery although the precise location of his grave within the cemetery is not known [cite web | url = http://www.diggerhistory2.info/graveyards/pages/helles/helles04a-12tree.htm | title = Twelve Tree Copse Cemetery | work = Digger History | accessdate=2006-10-01] .

Prior to joining the regiment Alfred Victor Smith was a Police officer within the Blackpool Borough Police force. He is named on a commemorative plaque within the current Blackpool Police headquarters.

References

*Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
*The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
*VCs of the First World War - Gallipoli (Stephen Snelling, 1995)

Footnotes