Frederick Augustus Smith

Lieutenant Colonel Frederick Augustus Smith VC (Dublin 18 November 1826 – County Meath 22 July 1887) was an Irish 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.

Early life
Smith entered the British Army in 1849 and saw action during the Crimean War at Alma, Inkerman and Sebastopol.

Details
Smith was 37 years old, and a captain in the 43rd (Monmouthshire) Regiment of Foot (later the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry), British Army during the Waikato-Hauhau Maori War, New Zealand when the following deed took place on 21 June 1864 at Tauranga for which he was awarded the VC. "For his distinguished conduct during the engagement at Tauranga, on the 21st of June. He is stated to have led on his Company in the most gallant manner at the attack on the Maories' position, and, although wounded previously to reaching the Rifle Pits, to have jumped down into them, where he commenced a hand to hand encounter with the Enemy, thereby giving his men great encouragement, and setting them a fine example."

Further information
He later achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He commanded the 43rd Foot in the late 1870s and retired in February 1878.

He died in Duleek, Co Meath, 22 July 1887. His grave (unmarked) is in Duleek (Church of Ireland) Churchyard, Co Meath. A memorial plaque to him, originally in Duleek Church, is now situated in Kilmore Church, standing in the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, Cultra, Co Down.