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Autographs  Page  05

Its hard to loose the friends we Love We'll meet again I hope Its harder still to find a towel When your eyes are full of soap. Khaki Co. Hipp Belfast 31-7-25 Sincerely Yours

A/Corporal (later Sgt.) ISSY  SMITH  V.C.
Cpl. I. Smith; (1890-1940); 1st Bn.  The Manchester Regiment, British Army
VC action; 26th April 1916, St.Julien, Belgium [Age 28] WW1

Date and place of birth; 16th September 1890, Alexandria, Egypt
Issy Smith was of British Nationality though with Russian parents
1925 the Smith family with daughter Oliver moved to Melbourne Australia where he lived the rest of his life.
Date and place of death; 10th September 1940, Melbourne, Australia.

Buried: Fawkner Cemetery,  New Melbourne.

CITATION: (The London Gazette, 23rd August 1915)

"On 26 April 1915 at St. Julien, Belgium, Corporal Smith left his company on his own initiative and went forward towards the enemy's position to help a severely wounded man, whom he carried a distance of 250 yards into safety.  When casualties were very heavy later in the day Corporal Smith again displayed great gallantry in helping to bring in more wounded men and attending them, regardless of personal risk."

Issy Smith migrated to Australia in 1912 and was living in Melbourne when he was recalled for war service with the Manchester Regiment on 8 August 1914. Married Elsie Porteous Collingwood McKechnie, a tailoress of London and Melbourne on 8 February 1919.

Many thanks to Roger Hebblethwaite and Ronald Saunders for the above information

all good wishes yours faithfully JOE MORRISON July 1925	Best wishes HETTY KING
Signed photograph yours truely GUS HARRIS Sept 22nd 1925 also signed on page	photograph ARTHUR WHITE best wishes ARTHUR WHITE September 15 1925
with all good wishes NEWHOUSE & MERRILY comedy cyclists being last turn it is only right that we should have the last page March 19th 1925 Hippo Belfast