Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

ISSY SMITH, V.C.
Issy Smith, the Jewish V.C. hero, whose story was published in "The Miner" on Sunday, was (says the Melbourne "Argus") living in Australia on the outbreak of war, and served first with the New Guinea Expeditionary Force. Going to England, he rejoined the Manchester Regiment as a reservist. He won his V.C. for great gallantry at Ypres.

The latest files of the Anglo-Jewish journals give fuller particulars of the exploit which earned for Corporal Issy Smith, the V.C. The award is made to him: — For most conspicuous bravery on 26th 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 Corpl. 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. Corporal Smith (Israel Schmulovitch) has been in a Dublin hospital since August 8th suffering from gas poisoning. He is twenty eight years of age, and has given eleven
years' service, having joined at St. George's Barracks, London, in 1903. He has been in Africa and India, and went to the front last September with, the Indian contingent. It has been arranged, to hold a public Jewish function in Dublin, at which he will be presented with a purse of gold. When interviewed, Corpl. Smith said that he could not understand so much fuss being made about one man, because every soldier in the British Army was a hero. 
Describing the events of April 26th,on which date he won the V.C, he said: 'At 'about 11 o'clock in the morning we halted in a field for a rest. Shells were rained on us from a German aeroplane. We got the orders to run far cover at once and leave everything behind us. When we went to look for cover I suddenly remembered that I had left my cigarettes behind. I went back to get them, and I had gone a short distance when a Jack Johnson dropped among my platoon and killed or wounded about fourteen. Later on in a charge our Commander was hit, and I at once got my field dressing out and bandaged him. I carried him to the first-aid post. On my way I saw Lieut. Shipsten fall. I was at this moment carry ing Sergt Rooke, of the Manchesters. I carried them both, a yard at a time, to our trenches. The bullets were flying. Then, dead exhausted, I fell down, not able, to move. An officer, gave me his flask and said:' 'There is brandy in this; take a drop and it will revive you.' I said I would not, as I was a teetotaller, and intended to remain one— no matter what happened. But I was dreadfully weak .'
At the end of May Corpl. Smith was gassed very badly. He kept a diary in Yiddish throughout his time at the front. He is the second Jew to gain the honour, the first being the late Lieutenant de Pass, of the Poona Horse, whose V.C. was announced (together with his death in action) in February. Corporal Issy Smith is also among the officers and men of the British Army upon whom the Tsar conferred the Cross of the Order of St. George, Fourth Class, 'for gallantry and distinguished service in the field.

Sudden Death
Of Sergeant
Issy Smith
Sergeant Issy Smith, V.C., died at his home in Moonee Ponds early today, aged 52, He leaves a widow and two children, Miss Olive Smith, and Maurice. The funeral will take place tomorrow, leaving his residence at 54 -Derby
Street. Moonee Ponds, at 2 pm for the Fawkner Cemetery. He will be buried with military honors. A detachment of the 12th Garrison Battalion will meet the cortege at the cemetery gates and march to the grave, where a salute will be fired.
Sergeant Smith held the war crosses of three nations. He won the French Croix de Guerre and Russian Cross of Saint George, to addition to the Victorla Cross. The feat which won him his V.C. at Ypres Issv Smith on April 26, 1915, was considered one of the bravest if the Great War.
The London Gazette thus decribed it:—
"Acting - Corporal Smith left his company on his own initiative and went well forward toward the enemy's position to assist a severely wounded man, whom he carried 250 yards to safety while exposed the whole time to heavy
machine-gun and rifle fire. "He subsequently displayed great gallantry when the casualties were very heavy, to voluntarily assisting to bring in many more wounded throughout the day and attending to them with the greatest devotion to duty regardless of personal risk." An Englishman, Sergeant Smith, served with the British army before coming to live in Australia a few years before the Great War started and, being debarred from joining the A.IF., he was called up to serve, with the 1st Manchester Regiment. 

WOUNDED FIVE TIMES
He was wounded five times, and after the war was chosen as a member of the late King's personal bodyguard when he visited India for the Delhi Durbar. Later he toured with several musical comedy companies. Lately he had been attached to the Civil Aviation Department, as an officer of the department's Essendon aerodrome staff. As the result of his war wounds he was to the Caulfield Military Hospital for four months last year He died suddenly this morning having attended work yesterday. Sergeant Smith was a J.P and sat on the City Court bench for a number of years. He unsuccessfully contested the Melbourne seat for the House of Representatives against the late Dr Maloney. Tomorrow's funeral arrangements are in the hands of Joseph Allison Pty Ltd.. of Moonee Ponds.