caption branch death_date death_place birth_place allegiance unit image_size awards battles birth_date placeofburial rank image article_title name
depiction of the battle of abu klea united kingdom 6 january 1932 1861 plumstead london united kingdom royal regiment of artillery 250 victoria cross mahdist war 1861 plumstead cemetery gunner abu_klea . jpg alfred smith -lrb- vc -rrb-
 alfred smith
alfred smith -lrb- vc -rrb-

alfred smith vc -lrb- 18616 january 1932 -rrb- 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 .
smith was about 24 years old , and a gunner in the royal regiment of artillery , british army during the mahdist war , when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the vc .
on 17 january 1885 at the battle of abu klea , sudan , gunner smith saved a lieutenant who was being attacked by a native .
the officer was superintending his gun at the time and had no weapon in his hand , but gunner smith , wielding the hand spike of his gun , warded off the thrust of the spear , giving the lieutenant time to draw his sword and bring the assailant to his knees .
the latter , however , made a wild thrust at the officer with a long knife , which gunner smith again warded off , but not before the lieutenant was wounded .
gunner smith then managed to kill the native before he could attack again .
in 1895 , while working at the royal arsenal at woolwich , smith was involved in an accident when his forearm was crushed by machinery .
his victoria cross is displayed at the royal artillery museum , woolwich , england .
gunner smith 's unit , 1 battery , southern division , royal artillery , was later re-numbered 176 battery and still exists today .
in 1955 it was awarded the honour title `` abu klea '' in recognition of gunner smith 's vc .
