for about a year. In 1921, he attended a Garden Party held at Buckingham Palace by King George V of the United Kingdom for Victoria Cross holders, as the youngest recipient present. He never married. World War II As war loomed in summer 1939, he re-enlisted with his former Regiment, the Lancashire Fusiliers, and was among the first contingent of the British Expeditionary Force to sail for France. He was a Lieutenant and quartermaster when he died in France from a gunshot wound in the head on 12 January 1940, just under four months before the start of the Battle of France in May. Smith is buried at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery of Beuvry Communal Cemetery Extension. Notes Further reading Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999) The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997) External links 1940 deaths 1898 births British Army personnel of World War I British World War I recipients of the Victoria Cross Lancashire Fusiliers soldiers Lancashire Fusiliers officers British Army personnel killed in World War II Recipients of the Distinguished Conduct Medal People from Maryport British Army recipients of the Victoria Cross Deaths by firearm in France