Not sure if this is the right thread - looking for a MID citation for the above Kiwi. Story goes he was a theater nurse in North Africa and a Tommy came in with an unexploded shell stuck in his chest. Smoothy and the surgeon took it out and he survived the war. The surgeon who was an officer, got a medal and Dad got a MID. Any assistance appreciated for the family to gain closure.
I've moved the thread to NZ sub-forum (from Veteran Accounts), where hopefully someone can help with possible research in relevant archives. Confirmation of the award from London Gazette, 6th April, 1944: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36456/supplement/1599/data.pdf NEW ZEALAND MILITARY FORCES. The KING has been graciously pleased to approve that the following be Mentioned in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East:-— 11123 Sergt. F. W. Smoothy.
Hello Playtime, 11123 Francis Wallace SMOOTHY, rank initially Private on NZ Army Nominal Roll (prior to subsequent promotions), unit listed as 5th Field Ambulance (images of nominal role below, Private Smoothy details are second line up from bottom of page). Close ups of entry (split into two images): Drawing of Sgt. Smoothy (can make out 5th Field Ambulance below his name but my eyesight is not good enough to read any of the other writing) The drawing is sourced from Sgt. Smoothy's page on the Auckland Museum online memorial website here: Francis Wallace Smoothy Forum member dbf post at #2 above will let you download a copy of the page from The London Gazette listing Sgt Smoothy's MID, but the best hope of finding the exact details for the award may be the 5th Field Ambulance War Diaries, or a history of 5th Field Ambulance in WWII, if one was written. And as Auckland Museum online don't appear to have any mention of Sgt Smoothy's MID it may be a good thing for you or another family member, if you wish to of course, to advise them of his Mention In Despatches. Good luck with your searching for a definitive answer. Kind regards, always, Jim. EDIT: Other source re 5th Field Ambulance: https://natlib.govt.nz/records/22464054 And papers within the New Zealand Archive in Wellington: https://collections.archives.govt.nz/en/web/arena/search#/entity/aims-archive/R12681226/draft-narratives;-5-field-ambulance;-7th-field-ambulance;-22-field-ambulance;-chronology,-syria;-history-of-medical-services-2nzef,-supplementary-material,-el-alamein,-north-africa;-classification-of-diseases-and-disabilities?q=R12681226&source=aims-archive
There is an overarching history of NZEF medical services, by J B McKinney, published in 1952. Sgt F W Smoothy's MID is listed (by name only) in the "Honours and Awards" section towards the rear of the book (named on page 977 of the pdf version attached below). Kind regards, always, Jim.
The NZEF Medical History is online: https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/....victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-WH2Medi.html All the best Andreas
