Harrogate Herald - 31st March 1920

Amidst the problems of peace, the "side shows" which are still proceeding are apt to fade into the background, but large numbers of British troops are still "on active service" in both near and far East.

News has just been received by Mr and Mrs Smith, of 7 Duchy Grove, Harrogate, that their son William Smith, who is serving with the British Military Mission to South Russia, has been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal. The notice of award reads as follows : "For devotion to duty in the field from the 1st to the 6th January, 1920. Corporal Smith accompanied Lieutenant Peploe to Yusk and Marinpol. At the latter place, while breaking out and rescuing two ships abandoned by their crews, they came under close hostile artillery fire. The example set by him under these trying circumstances had a very great effect on the Russian crew, and it was undoubtedly due to the fine example set by Corporal Smith and the others with him that the ships were rescues and convoyed back to Yusk with stores, troops, and refugees". Corporal Smith has since been promoted Sergeant.