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Auction: 24112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 101

(x) Canada General Service 1866-70, 1 clasp, Fenian Raid 1870 (Lt. W.B. Smith G.T.R.B.), good very fine

William Bisset Smith, born 11 July 1829, was a native of Drumblade, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. He emigrated to Canada in 1855 as a young man and settled at London, Ontario where he entered the employment of John Sheddon, the founder of the Sheddon Forwarding Company. At that time transport was very much in its infancy in Canada. He left for Montreal in the early 1860s to look after the company’s cartage business and subsequently joined David Morrice and his business which had interest in the Quebec, Montreal and Ottawa railways which was later acquired by the Canadian Pacific Railway. Smith then organised and managed the Dominion Transport Company of which he later became the General Manager. Smith was a prominent figure in Montreal and was representative of the generation of Scotsmen who made their mark in Canada. He was affectionately known as ‘Uncle William’ in Montreal and was a member of the Montreal Board of Trade, the Montreal Club, the Montreal Hunt and a life member of St. Andrew’s Society.

Smith was commissioned into the Militia serving as a Lieutenant in the Grand Trunk Railway Brigade. The Regiment was raised on 27 April 1866 to meet the Fenian threat for the protection of its property and consisted of five Battalions, two Garrison Artillery and three Rifle Battalions and was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel C.J. Brydges. This unit of Canadian Volunteer Militia recruited amongst railway employees. His medal is confirmed on the roll for guarding Victoria and other bridges.

He married Catherine McCall in Montreal in 1868 and died in Montreal on 9 November 1915.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Sold for
£350

Starting price
£140