RARE WW1 3RD ISSUE Silver War Badge (SWB) 04509 - Sergeant Robert J. Smith 7th City of London Regiment / Kings African Rifles - Wounded & MID

A SWB officially impressed 04509 awarded to 350949 Sergeant Robert J. Smith of the 7th City of London Regiment and attached to the Kings African Rifles (KAR). An unmarked silver circlet inscribed 'For King And Empire Services Rendered' bearing crowned 'GRI' Imperial Cypher to voided centre. Dark toned but in good condition, complete with original pin fittings (north -south). Circa 32mm in diameter. Copy of SWB roll CD Rom entry, MIC confirming his award of a Mention in Dispatches (London Gazette 6th August 1918 p9223) with the KAR for distinguished services in East Africa during the operations from 30th May 1917 to December 1917.

SWB roll confirms Enlisted 30 September 1914, discharged 21 June 1919 under para 392, xvia King's Regulations Wounds, aged 25. Badge issued 3rd May 1920. MIC confirms his entitlement to a 1914-15 Trio, star to Pte No 2982 7th London Regiment and BWM and VM as Sgt as 350949 in the same unit. Entered France 17th March 1915. MID as KAR and MIC confirms issue of his emblem (oakleaf) in this respect.

The 3/7th Battalion London Regiment was formed at Orpington in April 1915 under the command of Lt-Col Sir Pieter C. van B. Stewart-Bam, a South African soldier and politician who had been in charge of the London Recruiting District for the TF. The role of the 3/7th was to train and dispatch drafts to replace casualties in the 1/7th and 2/7th (and later other units) serving overseas. Stewart-Bam used his connections to arrange with the Dominion High Commissioners in London for the battalion to act as a training unit for officer cadets from the Dominions and Colonies. During the war there were often 70 officers training with the Reserve Bn, at one time 37 were from South Africa alone. The battalion sent some drafts to the King's African Rifles serving in the East African Campaign. It is probable that Robert Smith was one of the drafts sent to the KAR, having previously served in France. Wounded, MID for East Africa and a link between the role of the 7th City of London Regiment and soldiers from the colonies.

Third issue SWBs, which were issued between December 1919 and May 1920, are as per the 2nd type die but with an unusual serial number run of 01 - 05,000 and as such are very rare with only 5000 issued. See Howard Williamson's "The Collectors and Researchers Guide to the Great War" Vol 1 p106. Note this one was, according to the SWB CD Rom entry, issued on 3rd May 1919.

D50.8

Code: 62166