V.C. AT NINETEEN
BACK TO THE ARMY LONDON, Oct. IG. Lance-Sergeant Edward Benn Smith, V.C., D.C.M., has rejoined the Army after 11 months of civilian life, and last night was granted a commission as lieutenant. He was the youngest V.C. in the British Army, winning the medal at the age of 19. At the end of the 1914-18 war the Army offered Sergeant .Smith a commission. but he refused, and served as an NiC.O. until last November. •He won the D.C.M. on a daylight patrol in 1917, when, single-handed, he scattered a party of 40 Germans in no-man's-iand. Soon afterwards he won the V.C. “for most conspicuous bravery, leadership and personal example during an attack and in subsequent operations." Alone he charged and captured a machine-gOn nest, killing six of the enemy. Then he led his men to help another platoon in difficulties, took command, and captured the objective.
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Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20101, 22 November 1939, Page 6
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149V.C. AT NINETEEN Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20101, 22 November 1939, Page 6
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