DCM and Bar - Austin Smith

[pomp]

Good morning

I wonder if any of you kind souls can help a friend of mine? His grandfather, Austin Smith, service history was as follows:

WW1 - 6th Battalion W Yorks Regt during which he was awarded a DCM for bravery. Later he joined the Royal Flying Corps, gaining a commission.

WW2 he served in the RAF and was allegedly mentioned several times in Despatches.

We would be grateful for any information which might help build the picture around Austin Smith, especially the DCM, Bar and mentioning in Despatches. My friend wishes to donate the medal to the Regt museum and would like to know as much as possible.


I am not an expert in military history, but know that you guys are extremely adept.

Many thanks

David

[pomp]

I tried to attach some documents but for some reason couldn’t:

DoB: 13/9/1894, Horton, Bradford
Died: 31/1/ 1966, Bradford

Service Numbers

W Yorks Regt - Private 1165
RAF 128698

Thanks

David

[ShaunJ]

DCM citation:

1165 L/Cpl. A. SMITH 1st/6th Bn. TF

For conspicuous gallantry on the night of the 30th-31st August 1915, near Ypres. A Non-Commissioned Officer had been wounded while on listening patrol. His companion returned for help, and Lance-Corporal Smith and another man went out to bring him in. Whilst binding up the wound, both were wounded by a bomb, but they proceeded to carry the wounded man in, and, although he was also again wounded, they stuck to him, and only handed him over to the stretcher-bearers on the order of an Officer. Their devotion to duty was most marked. (9.10.15)

[pomp]

That’s brilliant Shaun thanks - what was your source if you don’t mind me asking

Thank you

David

[ShaunJ]

It can be found in The Gazette:  https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/29321/supplement/9987

[ShaunJ]

Just to clarify a few things:

He attested for the 6th West Yorks (Territorial Force) in March 1911
https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=gbm%2fair79%2f1152%2f00232&parentid=gbm%2fair79%2f18975

The 1914-15 Star medal roll records that he disembarked in France on 17 April 1915
https://www.ancestry.co.uk/discoveryui-content/view/953226:5119

He was wounded in the head in August 1915 in the action that earned him his DCM  https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record/browse?id=GBM/AIR79/1152/00236

He was discharged from the army on 7 April 1916 per the West Yorks medal roll: https://www.ancestry.co.uk/imageviewer/collections/5119/images/41629_611411_5565-00124

He enlisted in the RFC on 5/3/1918 as an air mechanic 3rd class. Transferred to RAF on its formation in April 1918. Graded as a Flight Cadet in September 1918.  Transferred to "G" Reserve in March 1919.

He enlisted in the RAF on 10 July 1939 as an AC2 and was regraded as an LAC the following day.

https://search.findmypast.co.uk/record?id=GBM%2FAIR79%2F1152%2F00227&parentid=GBM%2FAIR79%2F18975

I haven't found any record of a bar to his DCM.

[pomp]

My god Shaun that is extraordinary thank you so much

David

[pomp]

Hi Shaun (or anyone else with the knowledge)

I see from the attachments that the service number 128698 for Austin Smith appears to be a Royal Flying Corps service number, would he have retained this number in the RAF?

At the end of WW1 he was graded as a Flight Cadet and at the start of WW2 he was a LAC AH. In the Air 78 / 79 records I can not find Austin Smith or that service number. I am a bit confused with what to do next

Any help gratefully received.

David

[ShaunJ]

I see from the attachments that the service number 128698 for Austin Smith appears to be a Royal Flying Corps service number, would he have retained this number in the RAF?

Yes.  But when he reenlisted in 1939 he would no doubt have been given a new number.

You might find this useful:

https://www.ab-ix.co.uk/pdfs/rfc_raf.pdf