Frederick Augustus Smith VC

Name: Frederick Augustus Smith

Conflict: Maori Wars

Gazetted: November 4, 1864

Service: Army

Place/date of birth: Dublin, Ireland/November 18, 1826

Rank when awarded VC (and later highest rank): Captain (later Lieutenant Colonel)

Date of bravery: June 21, 1864

London Gazette citation:

43^rd Regiment. Captain Frederick Augustus Smith, Date of Act of Bravery, June 21^st, 1864.

For his distinguished conduct during the engagement at Tauranga, on the 21st of June. He is stated to have led on his Company in the most gallant manner at the attack on the Maories’ position, and, although wounded previously to reaching the Rifle Pits, to have jumped down into them, where he commenced a hand to hand encounter with the Enemy, thereby giving his men great encouragement, and setting them a fine example.

Click here to see full Gazette entry.

Other decorations: N/A

Place/date of death: Duleek, Co Meath, Ireland/July 22, 1887

Grave/memorials: Duleek Churchyard, Co Meath, Ireland; Hollywood Old Church, Co Down

Origin of VC to the Lord Ashcroft collection: Purchased at auction, Spink, London, 1998

Current location of VC: Displayed on rotation at The Lord Ashcroft Gallery: Extraordinary Heroes exhibition, Imperial War Museum