Canada, CEF. A Medal Pair to the 1st Canadian Mounted Rifles

A First War Pair to the 1st Canadian Mounted Rifles - British War Medal (425333 CPL. F.W.A. SMITH. 1-C.M.R.); and Victory Medal (425333 CPL. F.W.A. SMITH. 1-C.M.R.). Naming is officially impressed. Unmounted, very crisp detail, polished, dark patina on BWM, oxidation spot on the reverse of the VM, contact marks, original ribbons, better than very fine. Accompanied by copies of his Index Cards, Attestation Paper, Service Records and Discharge Certificates. Footnote: Frederick William Arthur Smith was born on April 11, 1892 in Birmingham, Staffordshire, England. He signed his Attestation Paper on August 9, 1915 at Sewell Camp (the name of the camp was changed later in 1915 to "Camp Hughes" in honour of Major-General Sir Sam Hughes, Canada's Minister of Militia and Defence at the time) with the 45th Infantry Battalion "Manitoba Regiment", naming his next-of-kin as his father, Fred Smith of Wolverhampton, England, stating that he had no previous military service, that he was not married and that his trade was that of Farm Labourer. The Battalion was raised in Manitoba with mobilization headquarters at Brandon under the authority of G.O. 86, July 1, 1915. The Battalion sailed March 13, 1916 under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel F.J. Clarke with a strength of 38 officers and 720 other ranks, arriving in England on March 25th. Smith was transferred to the 1st Canadian Mounted Rifles on June 6, 1916, arriving in France on the 8th and joining his unit in the field on the 10th. He suffered a gun shot wound to his right hand on September 15th 1916 (Battle of Mouquet Farm). After being treated in the field, he was sent to No. 5 General Hospital on the 24th, remaining there for over two months before being discharged on December 2nd. Smith was taken on strength at Canadian Base Details "A" one week later on the 9th, joining the 3rd Ent. Battalion in the field on December 25th. He returned to his unit on January 5, 1917. He is documented as having been "On Command" at the 8th Canadian Infantry Brigade Training School on May 5, 1917. He saw an appointment to Lance Corporal on October 2, 1917 and was awarded a Good Conduct Badge in the field on October 28th. He is also credited with having taken a Jump Line Course on February 7, 1918. He reverted to the ranks at his own request on June 11, 1918 and was later promoted to Corporal on December 1st. In the new year, with the ceasing of hostlities, he left the French theatre, arriving at Le Havre on February 12, 1919, in order to proceed to England. Smith disembarked Southampton, England on March 17, 1919 for Canada. He was discharged upon demobilization on March 31, 1919 at Dispersal Station "M", Military District No. 10, in Winnipeg, Manitoba and permitted to wear the War Service Badge, Class "A", No. 243815. He died on February 25, 1952.