A Memorial Cross To Lieutenant Leroy Herbert Smith, 146Th Infantry Battalion, 59Th Infantry Battalion

 GRV (Lieut. LeR. H. SMITH). Naming is engraved. Original ribbon, very light contact, extremely fine. In its hardshelled case of issue, gilt crown on the lid, case also extremely fine.

Footnote: LeRoy Herbert Smith was born on August 17, 1895 in Ernestown, Ontario, near Kingston, the son of Elias Smith and Marietta Smith. According to information gathered in 1920, he enlisted in the 146th Infantry Regiment but was transferred to the 59th Infantry Battalion, which was responsible for patrolling the St. Lawrence River and the canals. He perform this duty from 1915 until 1917, when he was discharged at Morrisburg, Ontario. He was a resident of Napanee, Ontario when he was conscripted, signing his Particulars of Recruit Drafted Under Military Service Act 1917 Paper (3059901), Military Service Act (numbered PC 920134), with the 1st Depot Battalion in Barriefield, Ontario, on May 16, 1918, at the age of 22, naming his next-of-kin as his mother, Mrs. Marietta Smith of Napanee, stating that he was not currently serving in an active militia but that he had previous served three weeks with the 146th Infantry Battalion in 1916, followed by one and a half year's service with the 59th Infantry Battalion, that he was Single, that his religion was Methodist and that his trade was that of Farmer. During his medical examination performed seven months earlier, on October 22, 1917 at Kingston, Ontario, the doctor noted that Smith had an appendectomy scar, which may explain why his service with the 59th Infantry Battalion had ceased to be. Lieutenant LeRoy Herbert Smith post-war occupation was listed as "gentleman". Smith died on July 9, 1924 in Napanee, Ontario, at the age of 28 years, 11 months and is buried in Morven, Ontario. No Attestation Paper exists for his enlistment with the 146th Infantry Battalion.