Sir John Smyth, 1st Baronet
| The Rt. Hon. Sir John Smyth, Bt. | |
|---|---|
Drawing of Lieut. Smyth's VC action, from The War Illustrated, August 1915.
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| Born |
25 October 1893 Teignmouth, Devon |
| Died | 26 April 1983 (aged 89) Marylebone, London |
| Buried at | Golders Green Cemetery |
| Allegiance |
 United Kingdom British India
|
| Service/branch |
 British Army British Indian Army
|
| Years of service | 1912–1942 |
| Rank | Brigadier |
| Commands held |
17th Indian Infantry Division 19th Indian Infantry Division 36th Indian Infantry Brigade 127th Infantry Brigade |
| Battles/wars |
First World War Third Anglo-Afghan War Waziristan Campaign Second Mohmand Campaign Second World War |
| Awards |
Victoria Cross Military Cross Mentioned in Despatches (6) Cross of St. George (Russia) |
| Other work |
Privy councillor Member of Parliament |
Brigadier Sir John George Smyth, 1st Baronet, VC, MC, PC (25 October 1893 – 26 April 1983), often known as Jackie Smyth, was a British Indian Army officer and a Conservative Member of Parliament. Although a recipient of the Victoria Cross, his army career ended in controversy.
Smyth was educated at Dragon School, Repton and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. After passing out from Sandhurst, he was commissioned a second lieutenant on the unattached list for the British Indian Army on 24 August 1912, and was commissioned into the 15th Ludhiana Sikhs on 5 November 1913. He was promoted to lieutenant on 24 November 1914.
He was 21 years old, and a lieutenant in the 15th Ludhiana Sikhs, 3rd (Lahore) Division, Indian Army during the First World War, when his actions earned him the Victoria Cross. In June 1915 Smyth was awarded the Victoria Cross, the United Kingdom's highest award for bravery in combat. The citation for this award, published in the London Gazette read:
For most conspicuous bravery near Richebourg L'Avoue on 18 May 1915. With a bombing party of 10 men, who voluntarily undertook this duty, he conveyed a supply of 96 bombs to within 20 yards of the enemy's position over exceptionally dangerous ground, after the attempts of two other parties had failed. Lieutenant Smyth succeeded in taking the bombs to the desired position with the aid of two of his men (the other eight having been killed or wounded), and to effect his purpose he had to swim a stream, being exposed the whole time to howitzer, shrapnel, machine-gun and rifle fire.
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