(1890-1940) Much decorated Issy Smith was actually born in Egypt at Ishroulch Shmeilowitz on 16th September 1890, where his father served in the French Consulate. At the age of 11 Issy stowed away on a ship for London and in 1904 he enlisted in the 1st Battalion of the Manchester Regiment where he took on the anglicised version of his name - to be known henceforth as Issy Smith. In 1912 he was discharged and emigrated to live in Melbourne in Australia. However, in August 1914 he was recalled to the Manchester Regiment and in April 1915, during the Second Battle of Ypres, Corporal Smith was to gain several major awards for bravery and heroism. With little regard for his own security, he carried a severely wounded comrade some 250 yards to a place of safety and later returned, despite heavy German gunfire, to bring back many more of his wounded comrades. For this action he was awarded the Victoria Cross. Later, as Sergeant Smith, he served in Mesopotamia where he was awarded the Russian Cross of St George for the heroic rescue of a Russian soldier. He was also awarded the French Croix de Guerre. During the First World War he was severely gassed and wounded five times. After the war he was married in London and in 1925, with his wife and young daughter, he returned to Melbourne where in 1930 he was appointed a Justice of the Peace. Issy Smith died on the 10th September 1940 and was buried with full military honours in the Hebrew section of the Fawkner Cemetery in Melbourne. UPDATE We have recently received an email from broadcaster James H Reeve, which throws much of our earlier information concerning Issy Smith into question. His email reads: Ive been looking into the fascinating Issy Smith, and I have to report that he didnt get the Order of St. George for rescuing a Russian soldier in Mesopotamia. He did serve there, but contact between Russian and British troops was minimal. He actually received the decoration before he left for Mesopotamia in recognition of the VC he won for his deeds in Flanders. This is stated in the London Gazette supplement of 24 August of 1915, three months before he was posted to the Middle East. Lots of references to Issy make the claim about the Russian, but Im afraid its a myth. In fact, a great deal of Issys story seems to be questionable, but the VC is genuine. All the best, James H. Reeve. 7 December 2007.
Posted on: Mon, 27 Oct 2014 05:03:44 +0000
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