Smith, Francis Johnston
Rank: 2nd Lieutenant
Regiment: 7th Battalion Gordon Highlanders
Biography: Son of Charles C. Smith, compositor; born Aberdeen, 25 November 1883 ; educated Robert Gordon's College ; student in Law, 1906-08 ; served with the firm of Messrs. L. Mackinnon & Son, Advocates, Aberdeen. On 25 January 1915 he enlisted in the 4th Gordons, was later attached to the 6th Battalion, and received his training at Aberdeen and Ripon. He attained commissioned rank on 5 August 1916, and was posted to the 7th Gordons, but served in France with the 6th Battalion. Smith was awarded the Military Cross in March 1917. On 16 May 1917 he fell in action near Arras, leading his men in a counter attack which succeeded in re-establishing the position of the Battalion. As a student of Law, Smith gave promise of a brilliant future, his shrewdness, tenacity and keenness in debate marked him as one who would go far in his profession ; and the determination which he displayed in his endeavour to join the Army after a serious illness, characterized the whole of his civil arid military career.
Honours: Military Cross
Date of Death: 16 May 1917
Burial Details: Buried at Brown's Copse Cemetery, Roeux, Plot 1, Row C, Grave 39.
Publication: Roll of Service, edited by Mabel Desborough Allardyce. Published 1921.
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