James Alexander Smith | |
Birth Date: | 5 January 1881 |
Death Date: | 21 May 1968 (aged 87) |
Birth Place: | Workington, Cumberland, England |
Death Place: | Middlesbrough, North Riding of Yorkshire, England |
Allegiance: | United Kingdom |
Serviceyears: | 1894–1900 1906–1910 1914–1919 |
Servicenumber: | 6423 |
Rank: | Private |
Unit: | Border Regiment |
Battles: | World War I |
Awards: | Victoria Cross |
Private James Alexander Smith VC (5 January 1881 – 21 May 1968) was born in Workington, Cumberland and was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. His birth name was James Alexander Glenn.
He was 33 years old, and a private in the 3rd Battalion, Border Regiment, British Army, attached to the 2nd Battalion, during the First World War. Smith and Abraham Acton from Whitehaven, were both awarded their Victoria Cross (VC) for their actions on 21 December 1914 at Rouges Bancs, France.
His VC is displayed at the King's Own Royal Border Regiment and Border Regiment Museum, Carlisle Castle, Cumbria, England. Smith died on 21 May 1968 in Middlesbrough, North Riding of Yorkshire, aged 87.