Military Medal awarded to Sapper Trevor Smith, 23 March 1916 [image 1 of 2]

Description

Trevor Smith was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in battle on 23 March 1916. He was one of 14 children to Gaius and Harriett Smith, 2, Railway Terrace, Blaenavon. Sapper Trevor Henry Smith served with the Royal Engineers, 170th Tunnelling Company. He died at the age of 33 on the 23 November 1917. He was buried at Noeux-Les-Mines Communal Cemetery Extension, Pas de Calais, France. The cemetery contains 304 Commonwealth burials of the First World War and 12 German war graves. The tragic news of Trevor's death was reported in the article below on 14 Dec 1917. Mrs Gulliford of 2, Railway Terrace, Blaenavon has received the sad news that her third son, Spper Trevor Smith, M.M, R.E.,79728, died of wounds on November 23rd, 1917. On November 24th a letter addressed from a casualty clearing station was received by the family from the Chaplain who, after expressing sincere sympathy with the relatives went on to say "I buried him today in the cemetery at Noux Les Mines and remembered you in my prayers at his grave. His officers and a number of his comrades were present. An officer of Sapper Smith's Company states that the latter was wounded in billets on November 16th. "Your son", he added, "has worked for me for the last two years and I always found him an exceptionally good worker who also volunteered for the work. I can assure you I miss him dreadfully, and the other Officer Commanding, the other officers and men of the Company sympathise with you in your great loss". Mrs Gulliford has also received a very sympathetic letter from the Officer Commanding, who pays tribute to the bravery and astuteness of Sapper Smith. The Company regarded him as a friend and companion whom they could ill spare and the Officer Commanding makes the following observation. It is especially hard on a soldier who had been awarded the Military Medal on March 23rd 1916, and wounded on May 23rd 1916, to be taken after doing such good and faithful work for his country." Sapper Smith won the Military Medal for good services rendered during mining operations. Before joining the Colours he was employed at the Big Pit, Balenavon. He was well known and highly respected in the district and his death is deeply regretted.

• http://www.welshvoices.com/ (link opens in new window)