AN EXCEPTIONAL MGS 1793 TO 40TH FOOT LIGHT COMPANY OFFICER WHO WAS FIVE TIMES WOUNDED; DURING THE DISATEROUS SOUTH AMERICAN CAMPAIGN OF 1807; AT THE STORMING OF MONTEVIDEO, HIS COMPANY LED THE STORMING OF THE CITY, HIS CAPTAIN BEING KILLED AND HE RECIEVED AN ‘ALARMING WOUND IN THE HEAD’. FIVE MONTHS LATER HE WAS THREE TIMES WOUNDED AT STORMING OF BUENOS AIRES WHERE HE WAS ALSO TAKEN PRISONER AND WAS FINALLY SEVERELY WOUNDED AT THE BATTLE OF VIMIERA, A WOUND THAT EFFECTIVELY ENDED HIS FRONT LINE SERVICE. HE FINALLY RETIRED AS BREVET LT COLONEL IN 1843

MILITARY GENERAL SERVICE 1793-1814, TWO CLASPS, ROLEIA, VIMIERA ‘C.H. SMITH, CAPT. 40TH FOOT.’

Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Hervey Smith, of Aspley House, was born on 7th October 1783. He is listed as a 19 year old Captain in the Bedford Miltia in 1803 before purchasing a commission of Ensign in the 40th Foot in May 1805 and of Lieutenant on 26th December 1805. He was with his regiment in South America in 1807 and as an Officer in the Light Company, he served with the Light Battalion during the operations. Lieutenant Smith received an ‘alarming wound in the head’ at the storming of Monte Video but carried on duty, almost certainly taking command of his Company after Captain Rennie was killed during the latter battle. At the storming of Buenos Aires, where the Light Battalion played a prominent part, he received three wounds, two of which were severe and was taken prisoner. Promoted Captain 26th May 1808, he commanded the Light Company in the Peninsula, during the campaigns of 1808-09. Taking part in the battles of Roleia he was severely wounded in the thigh at the battle of Vimiera. This seems to have ended his service in the Peninsular. He joined the 36th Foot in 1814 and was placed on Half Pay in October 1814. However he is noted as serving as Major of Brigade, Western District from late 1814, being given a Brevet of Major and exchanged back to the 40th in May 1815. He was again placed on Half Pay by reduction of the Regiment in late 1816. Awarded the rank of Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel in 1838 and promoted full Major May 30th 1843. He finally retired on 14th August 1846 Major and Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel.

On 19th August 1814 Smith was given a pension of £70 for wounds, backdated to 1811. Lt Colonel Smith had married to Francis Dale on April 18th 1811 and had 6 children. He died in 1857 at Aspley House, Aspley Guise, Bedfordshire………………………………

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From his 1829 Statement of Service for Retired Officers:

“SMITH, Charles Hervey, Capt., 40th Foot: 1829 Statement of Service for Retired Officers: Aged nineteen when he joined the Militia, twenty-one on first appointment to the Army. Capt ., Bedford Mililtia, 1803 Ensign 40th Foot, May 1805; Lt., 40th Foot, 1806 or early 1807' ( Army List gives 26th Dec.1805); Capt., 40th Foot 26th May 1808; Capt., 36th Foot 1814;Half Pay Oct 1814, by reduction; Capt., 40th Foot 1815; Bvt Major, Half Pay 1816 at the close of the year' by reduction; Employed since 1814 as Major of Brigade in the Western District' where serving when wounded: South America and subsequently Portugal via Monte Video, an alarming wound in the head. Buonos Ayres, 3 wounds 2 severe, Vimiera, 1 severe wound in each instance in the 40th Foot. Details of Pension: Seventy pounds. The certificate of the Medical Board bears date August 19th 1814, The Pension was issued for 1811, and subsequently. Family Married in Somerley Leicestershire 18th April 181. Six children now living. Where generally resident during the last five years: Plymouth”.

Condition GVF. Sold with a large amount of research both paper and on CD, including, statement of service, promotions and Half Pay papers, Gazettes, Regimental histories and narratives of the South American Campaign.

A really quite exceptional medal to a Light Company Officer who saw a great deal of action.