Queen’s South Africa Medal 1899-1902, no clasp awarded to Stoker H.T. Smith, H.M.S. Terpsichore, 1 of 136 no clasp medals to the ship.
Queen’s South Africa Medal 1899-1902, no clasp; (H.T. SMITH. STO. H.M.S. TERPSICHORE.)
Condition: Good Very Fine
Henry Thomas Smith was born in Poplar, London no 31st December 1879 and joined the Royal Navy on 29th November 1899, serving initially as a Stoker 2nd Class before being advanced to Stoker aboard H.M.S. Terpsichore with whom he served during the Boer War becoming 1 of 136 medals to the ship to be awarded the Queen’s South Africa Medal without a clasp.
Smith would continue serving, being promoted Stoker 1st Class on 1st July 1906 whilst serving with H.M.S. Pembroke II.
On 21st May 1908 a note was attached to his papers stating: ‘on recovery from desertion this man was taken to ‘Bulwark’ by a Police Officer who as the ship was under weigh was detained till Invergordon was reached. One days pay and allowances for the Police Officer to be charged against the deserter and 4 days against Naval force. He would continue to serve a chequered career after a promising early start, several times being confined to cells.
His first period of service ended on 28th November 1911. He was recalled to service at the outbreak of the Great War and served until 6th March 1919.
