No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VA… Read more
A Second World War North West Europe Operations C.B.E., North Africa Operations D.S.O. Group of Eleven to Brigadier T. Lyon-Smith, Royal Artillery, The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, Commander's (C.B.E.), 2nd type, Military Division, neck Badge, silver-gilt and enamel; Distinguished Service Order, G.VI.R., silver-gilt and enamel, the reverse of the suspension bar officially dated '1943'; 1914 Star, with bar (2 Lieut., R.F.A.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, with '1st Army' clasp; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals, M.I.D. Oakleaf; Coronation 1937, the Great War awards with contact wear and polished, good fine, the remainder good very fine or better (11)

Details
A Second World War North West Europe Operations C.B.E., North Africa Operations D.S.O. Group of Eleven to Brigadier T. Lyon-Smith, Royal Artillery, The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, Commander's (C.B.E.), 2nd type, Military Division, neck Badge, silver-gilt and enamel; Distinguished Service Order, G.VI.R., silver-gilt and enamel, the reverse of the suspension bar officially dated '1943'; 1914 Star, with bar (2 Lieut., R.F.A.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, with '1st Army' clasp; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals, M.I.D. Oakleaf; Coronation 1937, the Great War awards with contact wear and polished, good fine, the remainder good very fine or better (11)
Special notice
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

Sold with original C.B.E.. Warrant.

C.B.E. London Gazette 11.10.1945. Recommendation states 'Brigadier Lyon-Smith has shown outstanding powers of leadership as C.R.A. of 7th Armoured Division. He has trained his Horse Artillery to a very high standard, and there is no doubt that their quick and accurate shooting has played a great part in the successful operations recently undertaken. Brigadier Lyon-Smith is an untiring worker, and his continual visits to sub-units of all Artillery Regiments in the Division have had a marked effect on the very high morale of all Ranks'.

D.S.O. London Gazette 8.7.1943. Recommendation states 'Brigadier Lyon-Smith carried out his duties as C.R.A. to 6th Armoured Division in all recent operations in an outstanding manner. His complete disregard for his personal safety in getting forward to direct the fire of Divisional Artillery and his efficient organisation of the Artillery plan, are worthy of the highest praise. He has never spared himself and his enthusiasm has been an inspiration to all Ranks. The concentration of Artillery fire at the right time and place was largely responsible for the enemy's disintegration'.

Mention in Despatches London Gazette 7.7.1919 and 9.8.1945.

Brigadier Tristram "Tiger" Lyon-Smith, C.B.E., D.S.O., was born in September 1895 and was educated at Uppingham and the R.M.A. Woolwich. Commissioned into the Gunners in September 1914, he served out in France and Belgium between October 1914 and October 1916, and again between January and November 1917, and was wounded on at least one occasion. Between the Wars, he served at home, in Egypt and twice in India, gaining his "Jacket" as a Battery Captain of the Rocket Troop and at one stage holding command of the Eagle Troop.

By the outbreak of hostilities in 1939, Lyon-Smith had gained advancement to Major, and in the Temporary Rank of Lieutenant-Colonel he commanded an R.A. Regiment in the B.E.F., being fortunate to be evacuated through Dunkirk. Less than a year later he was an Acting Brigadier commanding the Support Group of the newly formed 6th Armoured Division, and went on to fight with distinction in North Africa and Italy and win a D.S.O. Appointed C.R.A. of the 7th Armoured Division in late 1943, Lyon-Smith participated in the Normandy Landings and in the advance across France and Germany between 1944-45, services that resulted in a C.B.E. and a 'Mention'.

The Brigadier, who was 'a man of very direct character who faced any problem head on', died at Winchester in November 1982, aged 87 years.