James Alexander Smith
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James Alexander Smith VC (5 January 1881-21 May 1968) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. His real name was James Alexander Glenn.
He was 33 years old, and a private in the 3rd Battalion, Border Regiment, British Army, attached to 2nd Battalion during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.
On 21 December 1914 at Rouges Bancs, France, Private Smith and another private (Abraham Acton) voluntarily went out from their trench and rescued a wounded man who had been lying exposed against the enemy's trenches for 15 hours. On the same day they again left their trench under heavy fire to bring in another wounded man. They were under fire for 60 minutes whilst conveying the wounded men to safety.
His Victoria Cross is displayed at the The King's Own Royal Border Regiment & Border Regiment (Carlisle, Cumbria, England).
[edit] References
- Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
- The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
