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4214 Sapper
ALFRED SMITH
Royal Engineers 

By 

Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Edward De Santis, MSCE, BSAE, P.E., MinstRE
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
(December 2024) 

Figure 1.  China War Medal, 1857-1860.
(Image from the author’s collection) 

            Alfred Smith was born on 8 August 1838 in the town of Strood, Kent.[1]  The town lies on the northwest bank of the River Medway near the neighboring towns of Chatham, Rochester and Gillingham, towns all connected historically to the Corps of Royal Engineers. 

            As a young man, Smith worked as a carpenter, and because of his work in this trade he was well suited to serve in the Royal Engineers.  Although he was underage at the time (17 years and 6 months), Smith joined the Royal Engineers at Yateley, Aldershot, Hampshire on 8 February 1856.  Upon reaching the age of 18 he was formally taken on the rolls of the R.E. as a Sapper for his first period of limited engagement.  He re-engaged at Queensboro (or Queensborough, Kent) for 10 years and 49 days to complete his second period of limited engagement. 

            Sapper Smith served in the 8^th Company and the 38^th Company during his time in service.  He served a total of 21 years and 35 days towards Good Conduct Pay and Pension (21 years and 42 days towards completion of his period of engagement).  He served abroad for 7 years and 360 days including 3 years and 21 days in China (with the 8^th Company), 1 year and 233 days in South Africa and 3 years and 106 days in Australia. 

            Alfred Smith appeared to have been an average soldier.  He was never promoted during his 21+ years of service and he did not possess a certificate of education when he was discharged.  He appeared four times in the Regimental Defaulters Book and was once tried by court martial.  His court martial occurred on 11 December 1860 presumably while he was serving in China.  His offense was absence without leave and he was sentenced to imprisonment for 60 days and the forfeiture of his Good Conduct Pay of 1d. per day.

            On 30 October 1877 a Regimental Board was convened at Chatham for Smith’s discharge.  The board consisted of Major James Heriot Mailand, R.E. (President), Captain Courtland Alexander McGregor Skinner, Bombay Engineers and Captain Charles Woodward, R.E. (both Members). 

            Smith was discharged from the Army on 12 November 1877 upon completion of his second term of limited engagement.  He was serving in the 38^th Company at that time.  For his service in China he was awarded the China War Medal 1857-60 with no clasp.[2] 

            At the time of his discharge, Sapper Smith was in possession of five Good Conduct Badges.  These badges had been awarded on the following dates: 

            1 March 1860:             Authorized GC Pay at 1d.

            11 December 1860:     Forfeited GC Pay.

            21 July 1863:              Restored GC Pay at 1d.

            21 July 1865:              Authorized GC Pay at 2d.

            10 October 1869:        Authorized GC Pay at 3d.

            10 October 1874:        Authorized GC Pay at 4d.

            10 October 1877:        Authorized GC Pay at 5d. 

            When Smith was discharged he was 39 years and 1 month old.  His service papers describe him at the time as being 5 feet 6½ inches tall with a fresh complexion, blue eyes and brown hair.  He had no scars or distinguishing marks on his body.  While serving in the Royal Engineers his trades had been carpenter and joiner. 

            Smith indicated that after his discharge his intended place of residence was to be No. 3 Cazenow Street, Rochester (probably Cazeneuve Street[3]). 

REFERENCES: 

1. Soldier’s Service Papers (PRO:WO97/1856).

a.       Proceedings of a Regimental [Discharge] Board.

b.      Detailed Statement of the Services.

c.       Medical Report. 

2. China Medal Roll [PRO:WO100/40ff98-100].

ENDNOTES