Charles Richard SMITH

London Gazette 28th October 1942
War Office, 28th October, 1942.
The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of gallant and
distinguished services in Burma during the. Period December, 1941 to May, 1942:
No. 5182329 Private Charles Richard Smith, The Gloucestershire Regiment (Chelthenham, Glos.)

Military Medal Dated 31st May 1942
He was awarded for his action at Paundge on March 27th 1942. Private Smith\'s platoon was engaged in a attack on the villages. While crossing some open ground, heavy fire was encountered and the Platoon Commander Lt, FORREST was badly wounded. Private Smith dragged him to cover and then proceeded to carry on with his platoon. When the company was withdrawn two hours later he discovered that his officer had not been brought back with the other casualties . Private Smith returned alone to look for him, finding him he proceeded to carry him back, but owing to snipers had to take a long journey by the railway. Eventually reaching cover of a forrest he got back to his company with the officer who unfortunately died shortly afterwards.

It was signed by William Joseph Slimm, Lieutenant General, G.O.C., 1st Burma Corps, 15/6/42

The officer who died was, 2nd Lieutenant 186124 Glynn Neville FORREST, 1st Gloucestershire Regiment, killed in action on the 27th March 1941 at Paundge aged 22. He was the son of Neville Vaughan and Marianne Ethel Agnes, nee Grylls of Exeter, Devon. He is commemorated on the Rangoon Railway, Burma.

His father Neville Vaughan Forrest fought in the Great War with the 7th Royal Dublin Fusiliers as 2nd Lieutenant and was taken prisoner by the Germans. His medal shows him a Sergeant 1962, with the Ceylon Planters Rifles Corps. Then 2nd Lieutenant with the Royal Dublin Fusiliers. With Officers Training Corps, (O.T.C), Egypt 5th April 1915, and fought in Egypt. He lived at 4, Osney Crescent, Paignton, Devon.