Beschreibung:

WWI. An archive relating to Major Charles Hodgkinson Smith (1877-1952), comprising: a typescript history of the family written by the Major entitled 'A "Gunner" Family', ff.30, with genealogy frontispiece, bound in a spring back cloth binder, slim folio, with author's original manuscript and notes loosely inserted; a 3pp. typescript curriculum vitae and letters of recommendation (including a typescript letter signed from General Sir George F. Milne); a printed bifolium certificate completed in manuscript awarding the Order of the British Empire, dated 1919, with circular embossed seal, and signature of George V, folio; a printed paper commission document completed in black ink, appointing Charles Hodgkinson Smith Second Lieutenant in the Land Forces, dated 1900, with most of wax seal lacking, signed by Edward VII 'Edward R&I' to upper margin, vertical folds as issued, toned, 30 x 40 cm (12 x 15.75 ins); a printed paper commission document completed in black ink, appointing the same to rank of Lieutenant in the Land Forces, dated 1914, embossed blue paper seal to left margin, vertical folds as issued, 30.5 x 40.5 cm (12 x 16 ins), and another commission document similar, stamped in red 'Temporary', appointing the same to rank of Captain in the Royal Air Force, dated 1918; a printed copy of Seniority and Distribution Lists of the Royal Regiment of Artillery, No. 548, Woolwich, November 1900, folded into printed blue paper wrappers; and various newspaper cuttings, army papers, personal family correspondence, certificates (including 3 framed certificates pertaining to gallant and distinguished services during WWI), and other ephemera, together with: A cavalry sketching board, London: Houghton-Butcher, 1915, wooden sketching board with compass, integrated clinometer and swivelling leather arm strap with buckle to reverse, original squared paper roll still attached to side rollers bearing a pencilled diagram and annotations, 25 x 18.5 cm (10 x 7.25 ins) (Qty: -) Major Charles Hodgkinson Smith was the eldest son of Major General Charles Hodgkinson Smith (1826-1897) and the last of six successive generations of the same family to serve in the Royal Artillery, five of which were documented by him. The Major's military career commenced in 1899 when he joined the yeoman cavalry at the start of the Boer War, receiving a commission in the Royal Artillery the following year and serving until 1904, when he retired in favour of agricultural pursuits. During the Boer War Charles saw action at Sand River, Wittebergen, Slaapkrantz, and Bothaville, and was involved in the operations in the Transvaal and Orange River Colony. In his history of the family he describes his experiences of guerilla warfare during which he endured: "constant flank and rear-guard actions, long hours in the saddle, extremities of heat and cold, often sleeping on sodden ground and sometimes for weeks living on nothing but bully-beef and dry biscuits ... ". At the outbreak of the First World War he rejoined the Royal Artillery (Reserve of Officers), and served in the Second Battle of Ypres as Captain, and subesquently commanded the Brigade Ammunition Column before Armentières, Boise Grenier, and Péronne, south of the Somme. In 1916 he was invalided home, although he was later sent to Egypt with the Royal Flying Corps in 1917, and then to the Balkans where he took part in operations, including the two battles of Doiran. Immediately after the Armistice Charles was appointed Commandant of the Royal Air Force of the Alexandria and Aboukir District in Egypt. He therefore served in three branches of the armed forces - the Cavalry, the Artillery and the Air Force. He was awarded a number of medals, including two South African medals, the Victory Medal and the Croix de Guerre, and was also made a Member of the British Empire. Major Charles appears to have been a sporting all-rounder, excelling in football, tennis, golf, rowing, and billiards, as well as polo, skating, skiing and ot