Lot 77
The Abu Klea Victoria Cross
"Behind The Wire" - Medal and Militaria Sale | M25001
Auction: 17 September 2025 at 14:00 BST
Description
The Campaign Pair and Copy Victoria Cross awarded to Gunner Alfred Smith VC Gunner Smith's unit, 1 Battery, Southern Division, Royal Artillery, for the action at Abu Klea on the 17th of January 1885 for the attempt to save Lieutenant Guthrie in an desperate hand-to-hand fight comprising, Excellent Victorian Copy Victoria Cross (Gunner A. Smith Royal Artillery), the centre reverse (Jan 17 1885), Egypt Medal, 1882-89, two clasps, The Nile 1884-85, Abu Klea, (23641 Gun: A. Smith. V.C.. 1/.So: Div: R.A.), Khedives Star, 1884-86, unnamed as issued. Usual pitting from star, toned very fine. (3)
The Victoria Cross The London Gazette 12th of May 1885
Royal Artillery – Gunner Albert Smith
At the Action of Abu Klea, on the 17th January last , when the enemy charged, the square fell back a short, distance, leaving Lieutenant Guthrie, Royal Artillery, with his gun, in a comparatively unprotected position. At this moment a native rushed at Lieutenant Guthrie with a spear and would in all probability have killed that officer, who had no weapon in his hand at the time (being engaged in superintending the working of his gun), when Gunner Smith with a gun handspike warded off the thrust, thus giving Lieutenant Guthrie time to draw his sword, and with a blow bring the assailant to his knees, but as the latter fell he made a wild thrust at the Officer with a long knife, which Gunner Smith again warded off, not however before the native had managed to inflict a wound in Lieutenant Guthrie's thigh. Before the Soudani could repeat the thrust Gunner Smith killed him with the handspike and thus for the time saved the life of his Officer, though the latter unfortunately died some days afterwards of his wound.
VC Investiture: 3 Aug 1885 by Gen Sir F C A Stephenson, GOC Egypt
Alfred Smith was born in 1860in Barking, Essex. He Joined the Royal Artillery on the 23 Aug 1878 as a Gunner serving with 10th Bty, 10th Bde on Guernsey, The Channel Islands; 1st of Apr 1882 the Battery was renamed 1st Bty 1st Bde, Southern Div; On the 26th of August 1882 the Battery sailed to Malta serving there until the 27the of February 1884 when they proceeded to Egypt; In 1885 the Battery was in The Sudan where on the 17th of January at Abu Klea, Gunner Smith, whilst wounded, performed the act that was to reward him with the Victoria Cross He was invalided to the Army reserve on the 4 Dec 1889, he then took employment at the Royal Arsenal Woolwich as an Engine Driver In 1895 he was involved in an accident when his forearm was crushed by machinery.
Alfred Died on the 6th of January 1932 at Plumstead, London, he is buried in Plumstead Cem, Sect N, Grave 885.
Sold with Copy Medal Roll for the Egypt Medal confirming both clasps and the Khedives Star.
The Original Victoria Cross is held by the Royal Artillery Historical Trust. The Campaign medals displayed at Firepower The Royal Artillery Museum were unnamed examples.
