George Alfred Smith Tank Corp.

[Brian Holcroft]

My grandfather served with the Royal Scots Greys Reg No 5574 1902 to 1914. I understand that he re-enlisted during the 1st.W.W. and was recorded on my mothers wedding cert. as a Sergeant in the Tank Corps. I cannot find his subsequent sevice record. He suffered from Gas attack and died 1924 approx.
can you help.
Brian

[mmm45]

Brian
Could he have been commisioned ?

Royal Scots Greys were also known as Dragoons on some  Medal Index Cards
Theres a George Alfred Smith Who served in the ranks of 2nd Dragoons then transferred as Officer to Tankies
His address is given as
C/O The Stage
16 York Street Covent Garden. on the medal card.

Ady

[Brian Holcroft]

He started as a private in the Scots greys and promoted to lance corporal 1908 and corporal 1911, transfered to reserves 1912 and discharged 1914. he must have re-enlisted for 1st W.W. don't know which regiment but the Tank corps is stated on his daughter's wedding Cert.
Brian.

[mmm45]

He may also be listed under Machine Gun Corps as the Tank Corps evolved from the Machine Gun Corps(Heavy) in July 1917  without a number its gonna be difficult to pin him down.

Ady

[Brian Holcroft]

Thanks for your response.
I have found a Medal Card for a George Alfred Smith which coincidentally starts as a Corporal in the Dragoons (his old rank 1902 to 1914  was a Corporal in the Scots Greys a Dragoon Reg.) with a Regt. No. 10111, subsequently a 2nd. Lieut., Major and Capt. in the Tank Corps. Regt. No. 24040, I cannot find a Service Record under either Regt. No., he finally served with the Lancashire Fusiliers.
His Medal Card has a number of remarks which I have difficulty with deciphering, including 15 Star.
It appears he was commisione 1-12-1916.
Only his Service record would confirm his birthplace as Leith Scotland or his Wife as Edith Maria.
Can you help.
Brian

[forester]

Hello Brian,

As far as the Medal Index Card goes, it looks like they were chasing around his various addresses. I'm not sure whether the medals finally reached him or not. 
There are others here who are far better at Enquiry Forms and Issue Vouchers than I am.

Officers records that have survived are only available at Kew. The catalogue is vaguely indexed, to say the least, if you try to search online.

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/RdLeaflet.asp?sLeafletID=6

These are the results for Smith, G A in WO 339:

http://www.rootschat.com/links/066h/

The other place to search for his commission is the London Gazette, again not for the faint-hearted.

This looks like him in Issue 31171, page 2060:

http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/31171/supplements/2060

Phil

[Brian Holcroft]

Thank you for your comprehensive guidance.
I have sent off to The National Archives and hope these records will resolve my query.
The London gazette reference ties in closely with the Medal Card I hold and is most useful.
I will now keep my fingers crossed that one of the 3 is my Grandfather.
I will contact you again on receipt of reply.
Brian

[Brian Holcroft]

After some wild goose chases I now have George Alfred Smith's Army service records.
1902-1914 Scots Greys Reg.no. 5574.
1914-1915 Re-enlists Scots Greys.
1915 Transferred to Lancashire Fusiliers Reg no. 10111.
1916 lieutenant Heavy Machine Gun corps.Reg No. 24040
1917 acting Capt. Tank Corps
1918 acting Major.
1919 relinquished rank of Major appointed Captain.
1919 Awarded Military Cross
1919 released

I have his medal card which which shows 15 Star, BW,VM U/D twice with finally PVX/348d/7.4.24,EF/4/5549
67/4/5549. No mention of his Military Cross Award.

I have the London gazette reference 3.6.1919, but I haveyet to find the report.

G A Smith married 3 times is there any way I can see the medal citation and find to which address his medals were sent.

Thanks for your help .
Brian.

[tankman]

Brian

Just to let you know I own the medals to Maj G A Smith MC late Tank Corps.

I have also research him on the military side but would be interested to hear more on the personal side.

Thks

Charlie