Second Lieutenant ALFRED VICTOR SMITH
East Lancashire Regiment
"D" Coy. 1st/5th Bn.
Died 22 December 1915
Age 24 years old
- Country of Service United Kingdom
- Awards Victoria Cross
- Additional Info Son of William Henry and Louisa Smith, of The Chief Constable's Office, Town Hall, Burnley. Born at Guildford.
- Personal Inscription SUNSET AND EVENING STAR AND ONE CLEAR CALL FOR ME
- Additional Citation note
An extract from the "London Gazette," dated 3rd March, 1916, records the following:-"For most conspicuous bravery. He 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 of our officers and men. He immediately shouted out a warning, and himself jumped clear and into safety, but seeing that the officers and men were unable to get into cover, and knowing well that the grenade was due to explode, he returned without any hesitation and flung himself down on it. He was instantly killed by the explosion. His magnificent act of self-sacrifice undoubtedly saved many lives."
Introducing For Evermore: Stories of the Fallen - the exciting new way to read and share stories of the Commonwealth's war dead. Got a story to share? Upload it and preserve their memory for generations to come.
Share and read stories