Victoria Cross, Corporal James Smith, 1st Battalion, The Buffs Regiment (East Kent Regiment), 1897 (metal)

Victoria Cross awarded to Corporal (later Sergeant) James Smith, 1st Battalion, The Buffs Regiment (East Kent Regiment), for his actions during the Mohmand Campaign, North West Frontier, 16-17 September 1897. One of a group answering a call for volunteers, Smith followed two Royal Engineer officers, Lieutenant James Morris Colquhoun Colvin VC and Lieutenant Thomas Colclough Watson VC, to the village of Bilot, Mamund Valley, in an attempt to dislodge the enemy. Despite being wounded Smith continued to fight, evacuate the wounded and held the position until the return of the officer who had gone for help.