November 1917 Smith was awarded a posthumous commendation. After the armistice of 11 November 1918 more details of the battle reached the UK authorities. Möwes captain, Nikolaus zu Dohna-Schlodien, described Otakis resistance as "a duel as gallant as naval history can relate". In May 1919 Smith was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross. King George V presented Smith's VC to Edith and Alfred at Buckingham Palace. After Edith's death in 1951, Alfred sold the VC and Archibald's other medals (the British War Medal, Victory Medal, and Mercantile Marine Medal) to the New Zealand Shipping Company for £ 125. In 1937 his family presented the Otaki Shield to Robert Gordon's College, to be an annual award to the senior boy who is judged "pre‐eminent in character, in leadership and in athletics". The shield is accompanied by the prize of six weeks in New Zealand as Otaki Scholar, visiting various schools as a "roving ambassador" for the college. References Bibliography External links 1878 births 1917 deaths British World War I recipients of the Victoria Cross Captains who went down with the ship Civilians killed in World War I Royal Navy recipients of the Victoria Cross People from Aberdeenshire British Merchant Navy officers People educated at Robert Gordon's College British Merchant Service personnel of World War I People lost at sea Royal Naval Reserve personnel