Military Medal named 11503 PTE C A C SMITH FT GARRY H, British War & Victory Medals named 11503 LCPL C A C SMITH FGH & a Birks 10k Solid Gold - He Fought For Freedom and Honour - Muncipality of Spy Hill - In Commemoration of CARSON SMITH Who Made The Supreme Sacrifice In The Great War 1914-1918.
Comes with original boxes, original MM transmission slip from Military Forces Canada to his brother & original Certificate of regret from Canada for his death.
Carson Arthur Cecil Smith was born in Swindon, Wiltshire on 13th January 1884. He emigrated at some time to Canada and became a farmer out there. He enlisted into the Canadian Army numbered 115093 on 6th January 1915 and enrolled in the 10th Canadian Mounted Rifles.
After posting to England, he was placed in the Canadian Cavalry Depot in Shorncliffe, and assigned to TheFort Garry Horse when they were formed for service in France on 24 February 1916.
Next thing we know about him is granted 10 days leave of absence on 7 Sept 1917, and an extension of that leave until 20 Sept 1917. Appointed A/L/Cpl with 26th April 1918. He was awarded the Military Medal for Gallantry in the London Gazette 12th June 1918. There is no citation for his MM, but his award is from a number that were granted for the actions at Moreuil Wood and Rifle Wood on 30 March and 1 April 1918.
29-30 March 1918
Moved to Guyencourt and bivouaced in Guyencourt Wood. Stood-to at dawn on March 30 and orders were received at 8:30am for the Bde to cross the Noye and the Avre Rivers as quickly as possible and engage and delay the enemy. The crossing as Castel was unopposed and the Bde proceeded due East to the Northern extremity of the Bois Moreuil. At this point considerable MG Fire was encountered coming from the northern face of the Wood. A Sqn under Capt Thomson and C Sqn under Capt Allen were sent to reinforce the RCDs and B Squadron under Captain RG Hutchinson in command was sent across the river to enfilade the enemy from the high above Morisel. The enemy were driven out of the wood. In spite of repeated counterattacks, the wood was held by the cavalry, until relieved by Infantry about 6pm
30 March 1918
Very heavy fighting took place during the day.
31 March 1918
Stood-to near Bois de Senecat.
1 April 1918
Orders were received for the 3rd Cav Divn to attack dismounted, at dawn. The position, known as Rifle Wood, 1 mile SE of Hangard. Lt Col Paterson was in command of the Bde party of 9 Officers 479 OR's with A/Major RR Steeves, as Second in Command and Lt RB Miles as adjutant. Capt RG Hutchison was in command of the Regimental party, consisting of Lt Bennett, Lt Hardwick and 173 OR's.
The attack started at 9am and was completed successful, although the losses were heavy. The whole of the Wood was in our possession by 11am, having taken 121 prisoners, and 13 MG's which were successfully used against the enemy.
The enemy were seen to be massing for counter attacks, which when delivered were repulsed with great loss
A/Major Steeves, Lt Bennett, Lt Hardwick and 58 OR's were wounded and evacuated to hospital. 8 OR's were killed with one missing believed killed. Lt Col Paterson and Lt Mills were slightly gassed but remained on duty, and 2 OR's wounded, remained on duty.
The Brigade was relieved at 4pm by Carbineers
2 April 1918
Moved to Bois de Boves, Capt JB Stratford and 2 OR's killed and three OR's wounded before leaving Bois de Senecat.
Total casualties during the period from March 22nd to April 4th 1918 inclusive: One Officer and 16 OR's killed; 5 Officers and 120 OR's wounded, 9 OR's missing believed killed and 8 OR's wounded and one OR believed killed. (Essex Yeomanry who were attached to the Regiment.)
10 April 1918
On the 10th, the Garrys had to advance up the Roye Road toward Hill 100. The fields were blocked by trenches and wire, so three troops of “C” Squadron galloped straight up the road through clouds of dust. Machine gun and shell fire left the road strewn with the bodies of horses and men. The last rider fell 100 yards from the objective. At the time of his death, Carson was a member of “C” Squadron, under Capt. Hutchinson and this is how he met he death charging onhorse back against machine guns and artillery.