View source for Issy Smith

{{short description|Recipient of the Victoria Cross}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{featured article}}
{{Infobox military person
|name=Issy Smith
|image= Issy Smith,VC (P02349.003).jpg
|alt=
|caption= Smith (left) attending an [[Anzac Day]] parade in 1927. On the right is [[Stanley Gibbs]], recipient of the [[Albert Medal (lifesaving)|Albert Medal]].
|nickname=
|birth_date= {{birth date|1890|9|18|df=yes}}{{sfn|Knight|2022|pp=96-97}}
|birth_place= [[Constantinople]], Ottoman Empire{{sfn|Knight|2022|pp=96-97}}
|death_date= {{Death date and age|1940|09|10|1890|09|18|df=yes}}{{sfn|Knight|2022|pp=1127-1128}}<ref name="Issy_Headstone"/>
|death_place= [[Melbourne]], Victoria, Australia
|placeofburial=
|allegiance= United Kingdom
|branch= [[British Army]]
|serviceyears= {{ubl|1904–1912,1912-1914|1914–1919}}
|rank= [[Sergeant]]
|unit= 1st Battalion, [[The Manchester Regiment]]
|battles=
{{tree list}}
* [[World War I]]
** [[Western Front (World War I)|Western Front]]
*** [[Second Battle of Ypres]]
** [[Mesopotamian campaign]]
** [[Sinai and Palestine campaign|Palestine]]
{{tree list/end}}
|awards= {{ubl|[[Victoria Cross]]{{sfn|Wylly|2005|p=318}}|{{Lang|fr|[[Croix de guerre 1914–1918 (France)|Croix de Guerre]] (France)}}|[[Cross of St. George (Russia)]]<ref name="GeorgeXRussian"/><ref name="MinerIssySmith"/>}}
|relations=
|laterwork=
}}
'''Issy Smith''' {{post-nominals|size=100%|VC}} (18 September 1890 – 10 September 1940) was a British-Australian recipient of the [[Victoria Cross]] (VC), the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to eligible forces of the [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] and United Kingdom.<ref name=AWMprofileP674>{{cite web |url=https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/P674 |title=Acting Corporal Issy Smith |series=People profiles |publisher=[[Australian War Memorial]] |access-date=3 September 2025}}</ref> 

Born '''Ishroulch Shmeilowitz''' (and other renderings), to parents residing in Turkey, Smith travelled to Britain as a child stowaway and enlisted in the [[British Army]] in 1904. He emigrated to Australia after he had transferred to the reserve, where he remained until mobilised as a reservist in 1914. As an Acting Corporal in the 1st Battalion, [[The Manchester Regiment]], Smith was engaged in the [[Second Battle of Ypres]]. On 26 April 1915, Smith, on his own initiative, recovered wounded soldiers while exposed to sustained fire and attended to them "with the greatest devotion to duty regardless of personal risk".<ref name="LG">{{London Gazette|issue=29272 |supp=y|page=8374|date=20 August 1915}}</ref> His conduct secured a recommendation for the Victoria Cross, which was awarded to Smith in August 1915.<ref name="LG"/>

After his demobilisation, Smith returned to Australia with his wife and daughter. He became a prominent figure in [[Melbourne]]'s Jewish community, was appointed a [[Justice of the Peace]], and unsuccessfully stood as a candidate for the [[United Australia Party]] in the [[1931 Australian federal election|1931 general election]].<ref name="Times 1931">''The Times'', 21 December 1931; p. 10; Issue 46011; col A.</ref>

==Early life==
Smith was born in [[Constantinople]],{{sfn|Knight|2022|pp=96-97}} the son of Moses and Eva Shmeilowitz, who were of [[Russian Empire]] Jewish origin. They met in [[Berdychiv]] and later relocated to [[Odessa]].{{sfn|Knight|2022|p=65}} They left [[Rostov-on-Don]] in 1888 for Turkey.{{sfn|Knight|2022|pp=72,75}}  They relocated to Egypt at the start of the 1900s.{{sfn|Knight|2022|p=87}} Although it was alleged his father was employed by the French Consulate-General as a clerk in [[Khedivate of Egypt|Egypt]], 'this has to be completely false. Moses would have been nearly 80 years of age by the time he took the job - and he spoke no French' {{sfn|Knight|2022|p=90-91}} Eva worked as a seamstress, and Moses worked a sewing machine. It is not clear what other work he obtained.{{sfn|Knight|2022|pp=79-80}}{{efn|The occupation of Moses was recorded as "Tailor" on Issy's wedding certificate.{{sfn|Knight|2022|p=483}} }}

Aged 11, Smith embarked as a stowaway aboard a vessel proceeding to [[London]], where his elder brothers had migrated to. Undaunted by this unfamiliar environment, Smith attended Berner Street School, [[Commercial Street, London]], and worked as a deliverer in the [[East End of London|East End]],{{sfn|Knight|2022|pp=122-123}} then an impoverished [[ghetto]] where [[Yiddish]] was the predominant spoken language.{{sfn|Rubinstein|2002|p=242}} Persecution and extreme deprivation had compelled millions of Eastern European Jews to migrate to Western Europe, the Americas, and elsewhere. By the time of Issy Smith's arrival, Jewish immigration to Britain had peaked but was curtailed by the enactment of the [[Aliens Act 1905|Aliens Act]] in 1905.{{sfn|Alderman|1998|pp=149–150}}

It was theorised that the pseudonym Issy Smith was adopted, in the process of enlisting, at the behest of a recruiting sergeant.<ref name="ADB">{{harvnb|Australian Dictionary of Biography}}</ref> This legend has been dismissed as apocryphal, as this surname was already used by his brothers Jacob and Joseph and Morris who lived in London.{{sfn|Knight|2022|pp=126-127}} He joined the militia on 21 April 1904, giving a declared age of 17 years, 8 months. He was working as a plumber, living in Manchester.<ref name="FMP9946IssySmith">{{cite web |url=https://www.findmypast.co.uk/transcript?id=GBM%2FWO96%2F1029%2F1522785 |url-access=subscription |title=British Army Militia Service Record - Issy Smith |series=WO 96 - Militia Service Records 1806-1915 |publisher=findmypast.co.uk |access-date=11 September 2024}}</ref> He enlisted under regular terms of service in the British Army on 2 September 1904, giving a declared age of 18 years, joining as a Private in the Manchester Regiment. Smith completed his training, later he was posted to South Africa on 15 March 1906. From here, he was then sent on 28 October 1906 to India to join the 1st Battalion,<ref name="FMP168IssySmith"/> as part of a draft, commanded by Captain Hubert Greenhill Chapman, that embarked at Durban aboard RIMS Dufferin,<ref name="Troopships1906">{{citation|title=Embarkation and Disembarkation Returns |series=Troopship embarkation returns|id=WO 25/3526 |publisher=War Office |via=The National Archives UK |at= Retrieved 7 August 2025|date=1906 }}</ref> and disembarked at Bombay on 6 November 1906.<ref name="GuzIssySmith">{{cite news|url=https://www.findmypast.co.uk/image-viewer?issue=BL%2F0005817%2F19061025&page=16&article=139&stringtohighlight=MOVEMENTS+OF+TROOPS. |url-access=subscription |title=Movements of troops |newspaper=The Naval and Military Record|location=Plymouth, Devon|date=25 October 1906|page=16 |via=British Newspaper Archive|access-date=5 May 2025|quote=All depart October 28th R.I.M.S. Dufferin from Durban to Bombay, arrive November 6th.}}</ref> At the time of the 1911 census, he was stationed at [[Kamptee#Military history|Kamptee Cantonment]] in the [[Nagpur division]] within India.<ref name="IssySmithLOTFWW">{{Lives of WWI | id= 4111918 | name= Issy Smith }}</ref> He boxed competitively. He was the middleweight champion of his battalion.<ref name="DundeeIssySmith"/> He entered the 1911 [[Delhi Durbar]] boxing competition, but was eliminated in the second round on points.<ref name="StalybridgeIssySmith"/> A tailor's copy of the [[Delhi Durbar Medal (1911)]] was among his mounted medals.<ref name="DNW"/> He was appointed Lance Corporal on 8 June 1912.<ref name="FMP168IssySmith"/>

He embarked [[HMIS Dufferin|RIMS ''Dufferin'']], departed Karachi on 20 September 1912,<ref name="Dufferin_20sep1912_KarachiDeparture">{{cite news|url=https://www.findmypast.co.uk/image-viewer?issue=BL%2F0000070%2F19120927&page=9&article=214&stringtohighlight=dufferin |url-access=subscription |title=Movements of ships |newspaper=Hampshire Telegraph|date=27 September 1912|page=9 |via=British Newspaper Archive|access-date=9 May 2017}}</ref> disembarked at Southampton on 11 October 1912,<ref name="Dufferin_11oct1912_ArrivalSoton">{{cite news|url=https://www.findmypast.co.uk/image-viewer?issue=BL%2F0001394%2F19121005&page=21&article=081&stringtohighlight=dufferin |url-access=subscription |title=Service Calendar [for 5 to 12 October inclusive] |newspaper=Army and Navy Gazette|date=5 October 1912|page=21 |via=British Newspaper Archive|access-date=5 November 2016}}</ref> then headed to the discharge depot at [[Fort Brockhurst]]. He was transferred to the [[Regular Reserve (United Kingdom)|army reserve]] on 15 October 1912, after eight years of [[Active duty|service with the colours]].<ref name="FMP168IssySmith"/><ref name=LLT_ArmyReserve>{{cite web |title=British army reserves and reservists |last=Baker |first=Chris |url=https://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/soldiers/a-soldiers-life-1914-1918/enlisting-into-the-army/british-army-reserves-and-reservists/ |via=The long, long trail |access-date=10 March 2024 |quote=1. Army Reserve This was a pool of men who had already completed a [period of active service within a] term of service with the regular army. It was organised into three Sections: Section A Reserve, Section B Reserve, Section D Reserve. The Army Reservists were mobilised in early August 1914. }}</ref> A newspaper article states that upon returning to London from India, he was greeted at the railway station by his brother, accompanied by Elsie, who would later become his wife.<ref name="MinerIssySmith"/> A surviving letter, written in Elsie's hand, does suggest that the railway "story" is a journalist's work of fiction.{{sfn|Knight|2022|pp=203-206}} (Elsie's sister would marry Alfred Burley, a colleague of Issy in the same battalion.<ref name=AlfredBurley>{{cite web|url=http://www.themenbehindthemedals.org.uk/index.asp?page=full&mwsquery=(%7BPerson%20identity%7D=%7BBurley,%20A%7D)|title=Alfred Burley |date=1 January 2012 |website=Museum of the Manchester Regiment |series=The Men Behind the Medals |access-date=13 September 2024}}</ref>) He changed from Army Reserve Section A, with its higher pay but the soldier was not permitted 'to reside out of the United Kingdom', to Army Reserve Section B on 20 May 1914.<ref name="FMP168IssySmith"/> Smith emigrated to Australia, after brief employment in London, disembarking in June 1914.{{sfn|Knight|2022|pp=203-206}} He lived in the Melbourne suburb of [[Ascot Vale, Victoria|Ascot Vale]] while working for the city's gas company.<ref name=EssendonMooneePonds>{{cite web|url=https://esshissoc.org.au/the-districts-famous-soldiers/|title=The district's famous soldiers |date=2 April 2023 |website=Essendon Historical Society |access-date=13 September 2024 |quote=He got a job with the Metropolitan Gas Company and boarded with Joseph Tallents who was his Superintendent, at 10 Brisbane St Ascot Vale... Source: RatBag Soldier Saint, Lian Knight 2022}}</ref>

==World War I==
Given that he was retained as a [[reservist]] until 1 September 1916, for the remainder of his 12 year engagement, Smith was mobilised by the British Army after the commencement of hostilities in August 1914,{{efn|His Majesty the King, having been graciously pleased to direct by proclamation, that the Army Reserve be called out on permanent service, all men belonging to the said Reserve are required to report themselves on such date and at such places as they may be directed to attend for the purpose of joining the Imperial Army. If they do not receive any such directions, or if they have changed their address since last pay day, they will report themselves by letter to the Officer Paying Pensions and Reserves, Foresters' Hall, 168 Latrobe Street, Melbourne. The necessary instructions as to their joining will then be given.<ref name="Echo_8aug1914">{{cite news|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/241769404 |title=Regular and Special Reservists |newspaper=The Evening Echo (Ballarat)|date=8 August 1914|page=4 |via=Trove|access-date=31 July 2025}}</ref>}}, as were his reservist comrades back in the UK.{{efn|The order for the general mobilisation came [late] on Tuesday night, and for the next day or two [5th August onwards,] Reservists were pouring into the Ashton Barracks... The streets were alive with the military, owing to the fact that mobilisation was taking place simultaneously at two centres, viz., the depot of the Manchester Regiment, Ashton Barracks, and [Territorials at] the Armoury, Old-street.
<ref name="StalybridgeMobilisation">{{cite news|url=https://www.findmypast.co.uk/image-viewer?issue=BL%2F0004576%2F19140808&page=5&article=065&stringtohighlight=appearance+barracks+ashton+armoury |url-access=subscription |title=Ashton and the war |newspaper=Stalybridge Reporter|date=8 August 1915|page=5 |via=British Newspaper Archive|access-date=22 August 2023}}</ref> }} He was one of more than 200 Imperial reservists that were mobilised in Victoria.{{sfn|Pittaway|2011|pp=9-10}} Some contemporary newspaper articles sources state that Smith was present at the capture of [[German New Guinea]] by the [[Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force]].{{efn|''''V.C. hero from Australia''' The Daily Mail says: - Acting Corporal Issy Smith V.C. was a reservist of the 1st [Battalion] Manchester Regiment living in Australia when the war broke out. With an Australian force he assisted in the capture of German New Guinea.'<ref name="DDEIssySmith"/>}}<ref name="DundeeIssySmith">{{cite news|url=https://www.findmypast.co.uk/image-viewer?issue=BL%2F0000563%2F19150825&page=3&article=050 |url-access=subscription |title=Rescued a sergeant. V.C. hero from Australia |newspaper=Dundee Evening Telegraph|date=25 August 1915|page=3 |via=British Newspaper Archive|access-date=28 December 2012}}</ref><ref name="StalybridgeIssySmith">{{cite news|url=https://www.findmypast.co.uk/image-viewer?issue=BL%2F0004576%2F19150828&page=5&article=089 |url-access=subscription |title=How Corpl. Issy Smith won the Victoria Cross  |newspaper=Stalybridge Reporter|date=28 August 1915|page=5 |via=British Newspaper Archive|access-date=22 August 2023}}</ref><ref name="MinerIssySmith">{{cite news|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/45376691 |title=V.C. hero and factory girl. A Melbourne romance |newspaper=Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW)|date=17 October 1915|page=3 |via=Trove|access-date=11 September 2024}}</ref> This is implausible as there is nothing stated within official documentation to support this claim.<ref name="NAAIssySmith"/><ref name="FMP168IssySmith"/>

He reported for duty at [[Victoria Barracks, Melbourne]],<ref name="MinerIssySmith"/> headquarters (3rd Military District), on 10 August, and embarked [[SS Miltiades]] on 21 October 1914.<ref name="MiltiadesIssySmith">{{cite web|url=http://anzaccentenary.archive.vic.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/British-Imperial-Reserve-Database-PDF.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240326222305/http://anzaccentenary.archive.vic.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/British-Imperial-Reserve-Database-PDF.pdf|title=L/Cpl Smith 168 Manchester Regiment, page 80 of 184 |series=British Imperial Reserve Database PDF |publisher=Anzac Centenary|archive-date=26 March 2024 |access-date=23 July 2021}}</ref><ref name="NAAIssySmith">{{cite web|url=https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=6039504 |title=SMITH Issy (Sergeant) - Manchester Regiment |series=MT1487/1, Service Records and correspondence concerning Australians serving with other Imperial forces, WWI |publisher=National Archives of Australia|access-date=11 September 2024}}</ref><ref name="Argus_10aug1914">{{cite news|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/242298599 |title=Australia answers call to arms - reservists enrol |newspaper= The Herald (Melbourne)|date=10 August 1914|page=10 |via=Trove|access-date=31 July 2025 |quote=Imperial reservists are being enrolled at the Barracks, and tents have been erected in the barrack yard for the accommodation of some of the men who have passed the medical examination.}}</ref> He arrived at [[Plymouth]] on 18 December 1914.<ref name="DSN_1914">{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/786577036/ |url-access=subscription |title=Reservists from Australia. 900 arrive at Plymouth [on 18 December] |newspaper=Devon and Somerset News|date=24 December 1914|page=4 |via=British Newspaper Archive|access-date=11 July 2025}}</ref> His service record states that he was posted to the regimental depot, [[Ashton-under-Lyne]], on 19 December 1914, whereupon he was appointed Acting Corporal that same day.<ref name="FMP168IssySmith"/> He was duly posted to the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion on 6 January 1915.<ref name="FMP168IssySmith"/> The 3rd (Reserve) Battalion was at [[Cleethorpes]].<ref name="StalybridgeIssySmith"/> The [[6th Royal Lancashire Militia#3rd & 4th Battalions|3rd (Reserve) Battalion]] was a pool of trained men, from which reinforcements were sent to the Western Front.{{sfn|Knight|2022|pp=250-251}} On 23 February 1915 he disembarked in France.<ref name="FMP168IssySmith">{{cite web |url=https://www.findmypast.co.uk/transcript?id=GBM%2FWO363-4%2F7273698%2F131%2F1438 |url-access=subscription |title=British Army WW1 Service Record - Issy Smith |series=WO 363 - First World War Service Records 'Burnt Documents' |publisher=findmypast.co.uk |access-date=11 September 2024}}</ref><ref name="MedalTrioN&MP"/> After spending time at [[Rouen]], he was posted to the front on 9 March 1915.<ref name="StalybridgeIssySmith"/>

Having actively engaged in the battles of [[Battle of Givenchy|Givenchy]] and [[Battle of Neuve Chapelle|Neuve Chapelle]], the 1st Manchesters had already incurred hundreds of casualties by the beginning of [[Second Battle of Ypres|"Second Ypres"]] on 22 April 1915.{{sfn|Mileham|2000|p=92}} [[Chemical warfare]] first emerged on the Western Front during the German offensive, and Smith himself would be temporarily incapacitated by gas. The 1st Manchesters were involved in an initially successful counter-attack conducted by the Jullundur and Ferozepore brigades on 26 April 1915, near Wieltje, in conjunction with other  Allied units.{{sfn|Wylly|2005|p=117-118}} Rudimentary forms of protection against the [[chlorine gas]] proved ineffectual, limiting the advance and causing many soldiers to succumb to its effects.{{sfn|Mileham|2000|p=92}}{{sfn|Wylly|2005|p=117-118}}

During the Allied counter-attack, Smith, of his own volition, ventured towards a German position to attend to a severely wounded soldier. He carried him some {{convert|250|yd|m|-1}} to relative safety while exposed to intense German fire. According to the Victoria Cross citation, he brought in "many more wounded men" throughout the day under similarly perilous conditions "regardless of personal risk".<ref name="LG"/> Recounting his own rescue by Smith to a ''[[Daily Mail]]'' correspondent, Sergeant Rooke said of the corporal: "He behaved with wonderful coolness and presence of mind the whole time, and no man deserved a Victoria Cross more thoroughly than he did".<ref name="StalybridgeIssySmith"/>

{| class="toccolours" style="float: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 2em; font-size: 85%; background:#c6dbf7; color:black; width:30em; max-width: 40%;" cellspacing="5"
| style="text-align: left;" | No. 168 Acting Corporal Issy Smith, 1st Battalion, The Manchester Regiment.
|-
| style="text-align: left;" |For most conspicuous bravery on 26&nbsp;April 1915, near Ypres, when he left his Company on his own initiative and went well forward towards the enemy's position to assist a severely wounded man, whom he carried a distance of 250 yards into safety, whilst exposed the whole time to heavy machine-gun and rifle fire.
Subsequently Corporal Smith displayed great gallantry, when the casualties were very heavy, in voluntarily assisting to bring in many more wounded men throughout the day, and attending to them with the greatest devotion to duty regardless of personal risk.
|-
| style="text-align: left;" | ''[[The London Gazette]]'', 20 August 1915<ref name="LG"/>
|}
Smith was gassed in April and May 1915.{{efn|'We were relieved by the Highland Light Infantry about 3 o'clock on the morning of April 27th... I was slightly gassed, and was carried to the first aid post. I lay there very sick for about 24 hours, but would not leave the battalion, as I wanted to see the fight through.... On the night of the 19th May the Connaught Rangers came to relieve us... I was gassed badly this time, and had to be removed to hospital, and I would hardly be so well to-day only for the constant attention which we wounded get at this hospital in Mountjoy square.'<ref name="DDEIssySmith">{{cite news|url=https://www.findmypast.co.uk/image-viewer?issue=BL%2F0001384%2F19150825&page=7&article=144 |url-access=subscription |title=Jewish V.C. in Dublin |newspaper=Dublin Daily Express|date=25 August 1915|page=7 |via=British Newspaper Archive|access-date=13 September 2024}}</ref>}}<ref name="MinerIssySmith"/><ref name="AdelaideAdvertiser">{{cite news|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/41338754 |title=A modest hero. Sergeant Issy Smith V.C |newspaper=[[The Advertiser (Adelaide)]]|date=1 October 1927|page=15 |via=Trove|access-date=11 September 2024 |quote=Four days after the declaration of war he reported as a British reservist at Broadmeadows Camp, and after getting to England with the A.I.F. [first contingent sent to Egypt] was transferred to a Manchester company. During his war service he was wounded four times, and gassed more than once.}}</ref> In June, he was being treated at No. 6 Stationary Hospital at Le Havre.{{sfn|Knight|2022|p=271}} Smith's service record suggests that he was medically evacuated from France in August 1915.<ref name="FMP168IssySmith"/> Smith was hospitalised in [[Dublin]], Ireland, where he recuperated from his gassing.<ref name="ITissySmith">{{cite news|url=https://www.findmypast.co.uk/image-viewer?issue=BL%2F0001683%2F19150826&page=6&article=129 |url-access=subscription |title=Corporal Issy Smith, V.C.|newspaper=Irish Times|date=26 August 1915|page=6 |via=British Newspaper Archive|access-date=12 September 2024|quote=Corporal Issy Smith, the Jewish V.C., who is being treated in the Dublin University V.A.D. Auxiliary Hospital, Mountjoy square, for gas posioning, had a busy time last evening.}}</ref>{{efn|'Dublin Jews yesterday morning besieged the Dublin University V.A.D. Auxiliary Hospital in Mountjoy square, for one of the inmates; Corporal Issy Smith, one of their co-religionists, had just been awarded the V.C. Corporal Smith had been in the hospital since August 8th.... it was not long before they went, in ones and twos and dozens, to the hospital at Mountjoy square, where he has been slowly recovering from the effects of gas poisoning since August 8th.'<ref name="DDEIssySmith"/>}} His Victoria Cross was later presented to him at [[Buckingham Palace]] by [[George V of the United Kingdom|King George V]].<ref>''The Jewish Chronicle'', 11 February 1916, p. 8.</ref><ref name="IWNissySmith">{{cite news|url=https://www.findmypast.co.uk/image-viewer?issue=BL%2F0001862%2F19160209&page=34&article=034 |url-access=subscription |title=Decorated by the King [on 3 February 1916]. Sergeant Issy Smith; with his mother and sister |newspaper=Illustrated War News|date=9 February 1916|page=34 |via=British Newspaper Archive|access-date=13 September 2024}}</ref>{{efn|The younger woman in the photo described as his sister is in fact his fiancé Elsie, the identity of the woman described as his Mother is unknown.{{sfn|Knight|2022|p=397}} }} He was feted by publications such as ''[[The Jewish Chronicle]]'',  and his status as a recipient of the VC was utilised by the British government for the purposes of stimulating further recruitment. His visits to Jewish communities in the United Kingdom generated much interest, attracting dignitaries and large crowds in the process.{{sfn|Cesarani|2005|p=118}}<ref name="LMIssySmith">{{cite news|url=https://www.findmypast.co.uk/image-viewer?issue=BL%2F0000748%2F19150921&page=4&article=142 |url-access=subscription |title=Jewish V.C.'s visit. Corporal Smith's recruiting campaign in Leeds |newspaper=Leeds Mercury|date=21 September 1915|page=4 |via=British Newspaper Archive|access-date=13 September 2024}}</ref><ref name="MCissySmith">{{cite news|url=https://www.findmypast.co.uk/image-viewer?issue=BL%2F0000206%2F19150930&page=5&article=061 |url-access=subscription |title=V.C.'s visit to Manchester |newspaper=Manchester Courier|date=30 September 1915|page=5 |via=British Newspaper Archive|access-date=13 September 2024}}</ref> On one such occasion, in September 1915, he was invited back to his old school in the East End to receive a gold watch and chain in honour of his Victoria Cross.<ref>''The Times'', 6 September 1915; p. 11; Issue 40952; col D.</ref> Also that month, Smith was received at [[Mansion House, Dublin]], by the [[Under-Secretary for Ireland]], [[Matthew Nathan]], who took advantage of the occasion to reaffirm loyalty to both Britain and Ireland.{{sfn|Keogh|1998|p=69}} Contemporaries, however, continued to report instances of discrimination against Jewish servicemen, including an incident involving Issy Smith in Leeds.<ref>''The Jewish Chronicle'', 22 October 1915, p. 5.</ref> While documenting his recruitment drive, ''The Jewish Chronicle'' reported that the proprietor of the Grand Restaurant had refused to serve Smith during his tour of [[Yorkshire]] because he was Jewish, while indicating the staff were prepared to accept his non-Jewish acquaintance.<ref>''The Jewish Chronicle'', 22 October 1915, p 13.</ref> Smith's tour continued otherwise without disruption, taking him to [[Edinburgh]], Scotland. His appointed rank changed from Acting Corporal to unpaid Acting Lance Sergeant on 5 October 1915, then he was promoted to Sergeant on 7 March 1916.<ref name="FMP168IssySmith"/> His partial recovery from gassing meant that, for accounting purposes, he was taken on the strength of the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion from 15 December 1915, as opposed to the Depot, which was associated with hospitalised men.<ref name="FMP168IssySmith"/> It was during 1916 that he participated in charity boxing matches.<ref name="SAissySmith">{{cite news|url=https://www.findmypast.co.uk/image-viewer?issue=BL%2F0000727%2F19160809&page=4&article=035 |url-access=subscription |title=Military boxing tournament [at Esher on 16 August] |newspaper=Surrey Advertiser|date=9 August 1916|page=4 |via=British Newspaper Archive|access-date=13 September 2024}}</ref><ref name="SBRIssySmith">{{cite news|url=https://www.findmypast.co.uk/image-viewer?issue=BL%2F0004755%2F19160818&page=2&article=024 |url-access=subscription |title=Dick Burge's forthcoming ambulance fund tournament |newspaper=Southwark and Bermondsey recorder|date=18 August 1916|page=2 |via=British Newspaper Archive|access-date=12 September 2024|quote=A Bermondsey boxer... will have the honour of opening the proceedings in a six rounds bout with  Sergt. Issy Smith, the Manchester V.C. hero.}}</ref>

Meanwhile, on the Western Front, the demoralised and depleted Indian Corps fought its final European battle at [[Battle of Loos|Loos]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Omissi |first=Dr David |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwone/india_wwone_01.shtml |title=India and the Western Front |series=History, World Wars |via=bbc.co.uk |access-date=15 August 2007}}</ref> With the exception of two cavalry divisions, the Indian Corps in Europe redeployed to the Middle East theatre, sailing from [[Marseille]] on 10 December 1915 and arriving in [[Basra]] on 8 January 1916 to be integrated into the Mesopotamian Expeditionary Force.{{sfn|James|2001|p=96}} 

Smith returned to active duty as a sergeant. He was posted to the 1st Battalion on 4 September 1916, serving in [[Mesopotamian Campaign|Mesopotamia]]. Within a fortnight of arriving at Basra, he was hospitalised with malaria.{{sfn|Knight|2022|p=421}} After the capture of Baghdad on 11 March 1917, Smith's nose was broken by a shell during the subsequent fighting.{{sfn|Knight|2022|p=447}} He transferred to the [[Royal Engineers]] on 1 April 1917.<ref name="FMP168IssySmith"/> He was granted leave, which he took in Egypt in May 1917, and is understood to have seen his family.{{sfn|Knight|2022|p=454}} He was hospitalised on 5 August 1917, accidentally receiving a large cut to his right knee whilst on duty.{{sfn|Knight|2022|p=459-460}} A letter sent by Smith in 1940 gave an outline of his service history. He took part in the fall of Baghdad, was transferred to the IWT branch of the Royal Engineers, and was redeployed to [[Sinai and Palestine campaign|Palestine]]. {{efn|'After the [[Battle of Jerusalem|fall of Jerusalem]], I was attached to G.S.I., General Allenby's Headquarters until demobilised in 1919.'{{sfn|Knight|2022|p=462}} }} In January 1918, he was treated at Port Said for emphysema. He was hospitalised at the start of September, and was discharged on 19 September 1918.'{{sfn|Knight|2022|p=466}} He was discharged from hospital on 21 November 1918, and returned to [[Cairo]].{{sfn|Knight|2022|p=467}} He had been wounded five times, according to the Australian Dictionary of Biographies, as derived from obituaries in September 1940.<ref name="ADB"/> Two contemporary interwar newspaper articles state it was four times.<ref name="STIssySmith">{{cite news|url=https://www.findmypast.co.uk/image-viewer?issue=BL%2F0000250%2F19190324&page=4&article=110 |url-access=subscription |title=Jewish V.C. hero weds |newspaper=Sheffield Daily Telegraph|date=24 March 1919|page=4 |via=British Newspaper Archive|access-date=12 September 2024|quote=The bridegroom, who has been wounded four times, was in the 1st Battalion of the Manchester Regiment, and he was the second of the five Jews to win the V.C. in the war.}}</ref><ref name="AdelaideAdvertiser"/> The family are in possession of the four [[wound stripe]]s that he wore on his uniform, which can be seen on his wedding photo.{{sfn|Knight|2022|pp=472-474}} Smith embarked at [[Port Said]] on 17 January 1919. Upon returning to Britain in February 1919, he got married, and was discharged from the army on 30 April 1919.<ref name="FMP168IssySmith"/>

A wartime photograph of Smith has him wearing his VC, a Russian Cross of St. George (4th class) awarded concurrently with his VC,<ref name="GeorgeXRussian">{{London Gazette |issue=29275 |supp=y |date=25 August 1915 |pages=8504,8506,8509 |city=l |quote=His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of Russia has been graciously pleased to confer, with the approval of His Majesty the King, the undermentioned rewards for gallantry and distinguished service in the Field :— Cross of the Order of Saint George, 4th Class.}}</ref> and his tailor's copy of a Durbar commemorative medal.<ref name="MtV">{{cite web |url=https://www.memorialstovalour.co.uk/vc605.html |title=Issy Smith |id=VC605  |website=Memorials to valour |date=21 August 2016  |access-date=29 July 2025}}</ref> In postwar photos,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://noosatoday.com.au/news/25-04-2022/war-hero-immortalised/ |title=War hero immortalised |website=Noosa Today|location=Noosa, QLD |date=25 April 2022 |quote=Noosa author Lian Knight has uncovered the real story of the Victoria Cross-winning WWI war hero and will release it this week in a book... in the lead up to Anzac Day.}}</ref> he is also wearing a trio of WW1 campaign medals,<ref name="MedalTrioN&MP">{{cite web |url=https://www.findmypast.co.uk/search/results?sourcecategory=armed+forces+%26+conflict&sid=101&firstname=issy&firstname_variants=true&lastname=smith&keywords=168&datasetname=britain%2c+first+world+war+campaign+medals |url-access=subscription  |title=Search results for 168 Issy Smith |series=WO 329 - First World War Campaign Medals: 1914-15 Star in WO 329/2602, VM & BWM in WO 329/605  |publisher=Licensed from Naval and Military Press Ltd |via=findmypast.co.uk |access-date=29 July 2025}}</ref> along with the French {{Lang|fr|[[Croix de guerre 1914–1918 (France)|Croix de Guerre]]}}, with bronze palm.{{efn|There is no official documentation in support of his Croix de Guerre, in either French or English.}}<ref name="DNW"/>

Demobilised after the war, Smith returned to London. As a war hero, he was intermittently invited to social functions. In June 1920, he attended a garden party at [[Buckingham Palace]], given by the king for all surviving Victoria Cross recipients. They included veterans of the [[Indian Rebellion of 1857|Indian Mutiny]], [[Rorke's Drift]], [[Nile Expedition|Relief of General Gordon]], the [[First Boer War|First]] and [[Second Boer War]]s, countless campaigns on the borders of the empire, and dozens from the [[World War I|Great War]].<ref>''The Times'', 28 June 1920; p. 19; Issue 42448; col B.</ref> He was chosen as a guard of honour, accompanying 73 other holders of the Victoria Cross, at the Burial of [[the Unknown Warrior]], Westminster Abbey, 11 November 1920, in the presence of the King.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.victoriacross.org.uk/aaunksol.htm |date=31 December 2002 |title=VC honour guard [for the Unknown Warrior] |series=THE VICTORIA CROSS gatherings of VC holders |at=sourced via 'The Times', 9th November 1920 |last=Stewart|first=Iain |website=Iain "Scoop" Stewart web pages}}</ref> (It was mis-reported in an obituary in a Tasmanian newspaper that 'After the war [Issy] was chosen as a member of the late King's personal bodyguard when he visited India'.<ref name="ADB"/>) On 9 October 1921, with [[Henry Edward Kenny|Harry Kenny]], he unveiled the Hackney War Memorial.<ref>''The Times'', 15 September 1921; p. 5; Issue 42826; col G.</ref> In 1922, he attended "The Pilgrimage to Ypres", in Belgium, laying a wreath at the [[Cloth Hall, Ypres|Cloth Hall]] there.<ref>''The Times'', 31 July 1922; p. 12; Issue 43097; col A.</ref>

==Legacy==
[[File:Maurice Smith wearing Issy Smith's medals.jpg|thumb|upright|alt=Black and white photograph of three boys. The two boys in the centre and right-hand side of the photo are wearing formal suits with medals pinned on the left-hand side of their chest. Only part of the head of the third boy is visible on the left-hand side of the photo.|Maurice Smith (centre) wearing his father's medals]]
Despite his fame and popularity, like many former servicemen contending with post-war economic hardship, Smith struggled financially – a predicament compounded by illness.<ref>Jewish Chronicle, 20 January 1922, p. 9.</ref> As a consequence he pawned his medals for [[Pound sterling|£]]20, only for them to be recovered by the [[Jewish Historical Society of England|Jewish Historical Society]] on the urging of the wife of Chief Rabbi [[Joseph Hertz]] and ultimately reunited with Smith.<ref>Jewish Chronicle, 28 November 1924, p. 13.</ref><ref name="JC 95">Jewish Chronicle, 6 October 1995, p. 6.</ref> Smith's varied occupations in post-war Britain included work as an actor with a theatre troupe.<ref>Grimsby Evening Telegraph, 7 September 2006.</ref> He had married his wife Elsie (née McKechnie) at [[Camberwell]] Register Office, followed by a formal ceremony held at Central [[Synagogue]], Hallam Street, as an observance of Jewish religious tradition.{{sfn|Knight|2022|pp=484}} Whether there was disapproval by the family, this is not known.{{sfn|Knight|2022|pp=480-481}} The family relocated from Camberwell to Hackney later that year.{{sfn|Knight|2022|pp=485}}<ref name=1921Census>{{cite web |url=https://www.ancestry.com.au/search/collections/63150/?name=Elsie_Smith&birth=1893&child=Olive&f-Self-Residence-EnumerationDistrictName=Hackney&residence=_30+Navarino+Mansions |url-access=subscription |title=1921 England Census |via=Ancestry |quote=SEARCH where name=Elsie Smith AND Born: 1893 AND Street address: 30 Navarino Mansions AND Enumeration District Name: Hackney AND Children: Olive |access-date=6 August 2025}}</ref> The marriage to Elsie produced two children (Olive and Maurice, born 1919 and 1932 (died 2000 and 2020) respectively). He emigrated to Australia in 1927.{{sfn|Knight|2022|pp=620-621}}

The family settled in [[Moonee Ponds, Victoria|Moonee Ponds]], Melbourne, where Smith's standing in the Jewish community became high. There he joined the Essendon sub branch of the [[Returned and Services League of Australia]] (RSL).{{sfn|Knight|2022|pp=627-628}} He was the President of the 1914 Imperial Reservists Association, Australia.{{sfn|Knight|2022|p=820}}<ref name="LapelBadge">{{cite web |url=https://victoriancollections.net.au/items/5886ac95ab02dd2480d22798  |title=Badge - 1914 Imperial Reservists |at=From the collection of Wangaratta RSL Sub Branch |access-date=29 July 2025 |quote=Inscriptions & markings on front: 1914 Imperial reservists Assn, Australia.}}</ref> In 1928, he was appointed manager of [[Associated British Picture Corporation|British International Pictures]] in Melbourne, and then worked for [[Dunlop Australia|Dunlop Rubber Company]]. His final job was with the Civil Aviation Board at [[Essendon Airport]]. Appointed a [[Justice of the Peace]] in 1930, Smith tried politics as a candidate in the [[1931 Australian federal election|1931 federal election]] for the [[United Australia Party]], contesting the seat of [[Division of Melbourne|Melbourne]] in the [[Australian House of Representatives|House of Representatives]], and "seriously challenged the hitherto unassailable [[William Maloney (politician)|Dr Maloney]]".<ref name="Times 1931"/>{{sfn|Knight|2022|pp=723-752}}

He was honoured in 1937 with the award of a [[King George VI Coronation Medal]]<ref name="Medal1937">{{cite web |url=https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C15349289
 |url-access=registration |title=1937 Coronation Medal Rolls: Recipients Australia |id=QLIB 5/15 |via=The National Archives UK |access-date=29 July 2025}}</ref><ref name="DNW"/><ref name="ArgusIssySmith">{{cite news|url=https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/45376691 |title=Coronation medals for 2,000 Victorians. Honour for leading citizens |newspaper=[[The Argus (Melbourne)]]|date=12 May 1937 |page=11 |via=Trove|access-date=29 July 2025}}</ref>

On 20 February 1940, he sent a letter, to apply to join the [[Second Australian Imperial Force]]. A Major Barrett replied, to advise there were presently no suitable vacancies, but if he could provide the particulars of his army service and age, for future guidance, it would be appreciated. He sent a response to the Major, dated 4 March 1940, a copy of which is with the family. He stated that his date of birth was 18th September 1890.{{sfn|Knight|2022|pp=879-880, 1124-1125}}

Smith died of [[coronary thrombosis]] on 10 September 1940.{{sfn|Knight|2022|pp=1127-1128}}
<ref name="Issy_Headstone">{{cite web|url=https://api.vajexaustralia.org.au/cc_service_gs_imgs/SMITH%20VC,%20Issy%20grave.jpg
|title=Headstone of Issy Smith V.C. died on 10-9-40 |via=Victorian Association of Jewish Ex & Servicemen & Women Australia Incorporated |access-date=7 July 2025|quote="303001 SGT. ISSY SMITH V.C. 1st Btn MANCHESTER REGT 10-9-40 HIS LIFE A BEAUTIFUL MEMORY. HIS ABSENCE A LASTING SORROW." inscribed on headstone.}}</ref> He was buried in the Jewish section of Fawkner Cemetery with full military honours. In September 2010, the 70th Anniversary of his death was commemorated at a graveside ceremony in Melbourne, Major-General [[Jeffrey Rosenfeld]] laid a wreath. <ref name="JWIRE">{{cite news |url=https://www.jwire.com.au/issy-smith-v-c-not-forgotten/ |title=Issy Smith V.C. – not forgotten |via=J-Wire: Australia, NZ and worldwide Jewish news that matters |author=Henry Benjamin |date=28 September 2010 |access-date=7 July 2025 |quote=Issy Smith, VC died on 10 September 1940 and was buried with full military honours in the Fawkner Cemetery. The Memorial Service was held on his 70th Yahrtzeit and many of his family members attended including his son Maurice who lives in NSW. }}</ref>Over 100 people were in attendance, including Ben Hirsh as President, VAJEX Australia, and Captain Rabbi Dovid Gutnick (son of [[Mordechai Gutnick]]).{{sfn|Knight|2022|pp=1127-1128}} 

His medals were sold by his family in 1990, and auctioned 5 years later as part of a special collection of Medals to the Manchester Regiment, selling for £35,288 ([[United States Dollar|US$]]75,000).<ref name="DNW">{{cite web|url=https://www.noonans.co.uk/auctions/archive/lot-archive/results/20694/  |title=Lot № 532 The Great War Victoria Cross group of eight [medals] awarded to Corporal Issy Smith, 1st Battalion, The Manchester Regiment, the first Jewish N.C.O. to be so honoured |publisher=noonans.co.uk |access-date=3 August 2007|quote=Auctioned on 10 October 1995}}</ref><ref name="JC 95"/>

Following representations from the [[Association of Jewish Ex-Servicemen and Women]],<ref name="Rashty">{{cite news | url=http://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/111722/u-turn-means-world-war-one-hero-will-be-honoured |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304092843/http://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/111722/u-turn-means-world-war-one-hero-will-be-honoured | title=U-turn means World War One hero will be honoured | work=[[The Jewish Chronicle]] | date=24 September 2013 |archive-date=4 March 2016 | access-date=24 September 2013 | author=Rashty, Sandy}}</ref> [[Communities Secretary]] [[Eric Pickles]] announced in September 2013 that the plan, to memorialise the 482 British-born [[First World War]] Victoria Cross medal holders by laying commemorative paving stones in their home towns, would be extended to the 145 born overseas include Smith. At the time of the announcement, it was believed he was born in Egypt.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a7f5ceced915d74e622a017/Commemorating_the_overseas-born_Victoria_Cross_Heroes.pdf |date=5 March 2015 |work=[[First World War centenary]] programme |title=Commemorating the overseas-born Victoria Cross Heroes}}</ref> He is commemorated in Rope Walk Gardens, a few minutes walk away from the location of Berners Street School in [[Whitechapel]].
<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.londonremembers.com/memorials/issy-smith-vc |title=Issy Smith VC |website=www.londonremembers.com
|series=map plots of memorials |quote=Unveiled shortly before 1 Dec 2015, probably on 23 November 2015}}</ref>

==References==
===Notes===
{{notelist}}
===Citations===
{{reflist}}

===Bibliography===
* {{cite book|last=Alderman |first=Geoffrey |title=Modern British Jewry |year=1998 |publisher=Clarendon Press |isbn=978-0-19-820759-7}}
* {{cite book|last=Cesarani |first=David |title=The Jewish Chronicle and Anglo-Jewry, 1841–1991 |year=2005 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-0-521-01913-2}}
* {{Cite book|last=James |first=E.A. |title=British Regiments 1914–18 |date=2001 |orig-year=1978 |publisher=Naval & Military Press | location=Uckfield |isbn=978-1-84342-197-9}}
* {{cite book|last=Keogh |first=Dermot |title=Jews in Twentieth Century Ireland: Refugees, Anti-semitism and the Holocaust |year=1998 |publisher=Cork University Press |isbn=978-1-85918-150-8}}
* {{cite book|last=Knight|first=Lian|title=Ratbag Soldier Saint - The Real Story of Sergeant Issy Smith VC|year=2022|type=eBook via kobo|publisher=Hybrid Publishers|location=Melbourne, NSW|isbn=978-1-92-573684-7}}
* {{cite book|last=Mileham |first=Patrick |year=2000 |title=Difficulties Be Damned: The King's Regiment – A History of the City Regiment of Manchester and Liverpool |publisher=Fleur de Lys |isbn=1-873907-10-9}}.
* {{cite book |last=Price |first=John E. |chapter-url=https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/smith-issy-8473 |title=Smith, Issy (1890–1940) |chapter=Issy Smith (1890–1940) |series=Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 11 |year=1988 |publisher=[[Australian National University]] |ref=CITEREFAustralian Dictionary of Biography|access-date=29 July 2007}}
* {{cite journal |last=Pittaway |first=Andrew |year=2011 |title=Imperial Reservists from Australia |journal=Sabretache  |institution=Military History Society of Australia |volume=LII |issue=1 |pages=9–16 |url=https://www.mhsa.org.au/sabretache-downloads/vol-lii-2011/ |access-date=1 August 2025}}
* {{cite book |editor1-last=Rubinstein |editor1-first=Hilary L |display-editors=etal |title=The Jews in the Modern World: A History Since 1750 |year=2002 |publisher=Hodder Arnold |isbn=978-0-34-069163-2}}
* {{cite book|last=Wylly |first=Harold Carmichael |title=History of the Manchester Regiment Volume 2 1883-1922 |year=2005  |orig-year=1925 |publisher=Naval & Military Press |location=Uckfield, East Sussex |url=https://archive.org/details/manchesterregimentvol2/page/n1/mode/1up? |isbn=978-1-84-574143-3}}

===Further reading===
* {{cite book|last1=Batchelor|first1=Peter|last2=Matson|first2=Christopher|title=The Western Front 1915|series=[[VCs of the First World War]]|year=2011|publisher=[[The History Press]]|location=[[Stroud]], [[Gloucestershire]]|isbn=978-0-7524-6057-4}}
* {{cite book|last=Bonner|first=Robert |title=Issy Smith VC, The Manchester Regiment – A soldier of the Jullundur Brigade |year=2014 |publisher=Fleur de Lys Publishers |isbn=978-1-873907-39-9}}
* {{cite book |last1=Hall |first1=L. J. |editor1-last=Hughes |editor1-first=R.H.W. |title=Inland Water Transport in Mesopotamia  |date=2004 |orig-year=1921 |publisher=Naval & Military Press |location=Uckfield |isbn=978-1-84-342952-4}}
*{{cite book|last=Oldfield|first=Paul|title=Victoria Crosses on the Western Front August 1914–April 1915: Mons to Hill 60|publisher=[[Pen and Sword Books]]|year=2014|isbn=978-1783030439}}
{{Duke of Lancaster's Regiment}}


{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Smith, Issy}}
[[Category:1890 births]]
[[Category:1940 deaths]]
[[Category:British Army personnel of World War I]]
[[Category:Jewish military personnel]]
[[Category:Manchester Regiment soldiers]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Istanbul]]
[[Category:Military personnel from London]]
[[Category:British World War I recipients of the Victoria Cross]]
[[Category:British Army recipients of the Victoria Cross]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Cross of St. George]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Croix de Guerre 1914–1918 (France)]]
[[Category:Turkish Jews]]
[[Category:Turkish emigrants to the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Australian people of Ukrainian-Jewish descent]]
[[Category:British people of Ukrainian-Jewish descent]]
[[Category:Deaths from coronary thrombosis]]