Canada, Dominion. A Memorial Cross To Sapper Smaill, Missing Following Enemy Shelling 1918

George V (502884 Spr. W.C. SMAILL). Naming is engraved. In sterling silver, maker marked with the Caron Brothers of Montreal insignia and marked "STERLING" on the reverse, very dark patina, replacement ribbon, near extremely fine. Accompanied by its hardshelled case of issue, pebbled exterior, Royal crown on the lid, inside lid lined in beige satin, lightly soiled medal bed in beige felt, case very fine.

Footnote: William Charles Smaill was born on January 30, 1876 in Dunedin, New Zealand. At the age of 34, he married Jessie Smaill on August 2, 1910. He was a resident of Vancouver, British Columbia when he signed his Attestation Paper as a Sapper (502884) with the 6th Field Company, Canadian Engineers, on November 3, 1915 at North Vancouver, British Columbia and was approved for service on January 27, 1916, just shy of his fortieth birthday, naming his next-of-kin as his wife, Mrs. Jessie Snaill of Vancouver (later of Paisley, Scotland), stating that he had three years' previous military service with the Government Rifles in New Zealand, that he was Married, that his religion was Presbyterian and that his trade was that of Miner and Railway Carpenter. Two months after being approved for service, Sapper (Private) Smaill arrived in England aboard the S.S. Metagawa on March 25, 1916 and one week later, was taken on strength at the Canadian Engineers Training Depot (CETD) at Shorncliffe on April 3rd. Three and a months would go by before he was struck off strength to the Canadian Overseas Railway Construction Corps (CORCC) on July 20, 1916.

He was appointed Acting Corporal on February 19, 1917 but reverted to the ranks on proceeding overseas to the French theatre on May 26, 1917, arriving in France on the 28th. Smaill was awarded one Good Conduct Badge on November 17, 1917. 502884 Sapper Smaill was thirteen months in France with the Canadian Overseas Railway Construction Corps, Canadian Railway Troops, when he was reported "missing" while with a work party, on June 27, 1918. In a letter from the Adjutant General to the General Officer Commanding the L. of C. area, he stated that "With reference to the attached, although it appears probable that Sapper Smaill is missing through enemy action, yet it is also possible that he may have absented himself during the shelling. Cases have previously occurred of men being reported "Missing" in similar circumstances and being subsequently arrested as absentees." Two weeks after receipt of the letter, a Court of Enquiry was conducted into the matter. In a Proceedings of a Court of Enquiry report, dated July 13, 1918, three members of the court reviewed the circumstances on the night that Sapper Samill went missing in action: Major H. Wellwood, Captain H.H. Charles and Lieutenant N.M. Campbell. Five men who knew him while with the unit gave testimony, and all testimonies were consistent with one other. About 10:30 p.m., the enemy started shelling the working party, the men fairly scattered when the shelling started. They were subsequently ordered to take cover. About 2 a.m., the working party was collected but Sapper Smaill was missing. A search was conducted for him but they could find no trace of him. The Court came to a finding: "The Court is of the opinion that Sapper Smaill is missing through enemy action".

A description of him was furnished to the Adjutant-General at General Headquarters (GHQ) on August 22, 1918, stating that he was 42 years old, "looks his age", with fair hair and complexion, grey eyes, a slim build: about 5 ft., 7 in., about 100 lbs., that he had even teeth, the right eye tooth with a gold crown. it was noted under the heading "peculiarity" that Smaill was "rather quick in his movements" as well as that he "always smokes a cigarette using a holder". On March 22, 1919, he was officially "presumed dead" as of June 27, 1918, at the age of 42. Sapper Smaill is remembered with honour on the Vimy Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. It is Canada's most impressive tribute overseas to those Canadians who fought and gave their lives in the First World War is the majestic and inspiring Vimy Memorial, which overlooks the Douai Plain from the highest point of Vimy Ridge. At the base of the memorial, these words appear in French and in English: "TO THE VALOUR OF THEIR COUNTRYMEN IN THE GREAT WAR AND IN MEMORY OF THEIR SIXTY THOUSAND DEAD THIS MONUMENT IS RAISED BY THE PEOPLE OF CANADA". Inscribed on the ramparts of the Vimy Memorial are the names of over 11,000 Canadian soldiers who were posted as "missing, presumed dead" in France. Sapper Smaill is also commemorated on page 501 of the First World War Book of Remembrance. His wife, Jessie, was living in Paisley, Scotland, c/o Mrs. John Ferguson after the war, when she received his Memorial Cross, British War Medal, Victory Medal, Memorial Plaque and Scroll. She was paid a War Service Gratuity, eligible for $180, less the amount of $80 for a Special Pension Bonus paid, with the balance owing of $100. A replacement British War Medal and Victory Medal were requested by his niece in New Zealand for family use in September 1982.