WW1 2nd Bn Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry DCM., MM Long Service Group of Eight.

WW1 2nd Bn Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry DCM., MM Long Service Group of Eight. A scarce combination awarded to 9104 Company Sergeant Major Ernest John Smith. Comprising: Distinguished Conduct Medal (GVR) ‘9104 C.S. Mjr E.J. Smith MM Oxf & Bucks L.I.’, Military Medal (GVR) ‘Sjt 2/ ) O & B L.I’, 1914/15 Star ‘Cpl Oxf & Bucks L.I.’, British War Medal, Victory Medal, MID, ‘WO Cl 2 Oxf & Bucks L.I.’, Defence Medal, War Medal, Army Long Service & Good Conduct Medal (GVR) ‘5373173 W.O. Cl1 E.J. Smith (DCM) MM) Oxf & Bucks L.I.’, Corps of Commissioners Silver Long Service Medal ‘E.J. Smith). Mounted for display, heavy polishing with loss to detail, also contact marks. GC ... Accompanied by Soldier’s Small Book ... Photograph of CSM Smith with his athletics prizes ... Scarlet tunic, this with white facings, Corporal chevrons. Complete with brass shoulder titles and General Service Corps buttons. Some moth damage. The award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal was announced in the London Gazette on the 15th November 1918 ‘For conspicuous gallantry during an attack. He showed the greatest coolness and devotion to duty under very heavy shell fire. Later with a few men, he rounded up thirteen prisoners and four machine guns from an enemy strong point. Throughout the operations he was invaluable to his Company Commander and set a very fine example to all ranks’. Company Sergeant Major Ernest John Smith was born in Somerset, his family moved to Marlow Buckinghamshire and in June 1909 he enlisted into the 3rd Bn of the Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. At the outbreak of WW1 he held the rank of Corporal and embarked to France on the 26th May 1915, joining the 2nd Bn , he would remain with the Battalion throughout the war on the Western Front.