The History of 33 Sussex Square

33 Sussex Square

From 1924-1931 No 33 belonged to Major General Sir Sydenham Campbell Urquhart Smith KCMG CB was born in 1859 at Madras, India. He was a son of Doctor George Smith, Surgeon General of the Madras army, and Lucy Ann unknown.[1] He was educated at University College School.

He was commissioned in the Royal Artillery, following graduation from Royal Military Academy, Woolwich in 1879. In 1896 whilst an instructor at the School of Artillery in the United Kingdom, he was seconded to the New South Wales Artillery. He was then a Major.[1]

Sydenham Smith KCMG CB is a Military Veteran.

Served in the New South Wales Military Force 1899-1901

Battery Commander, A Battery

Smith was appointed battery commander of A Battery from 1899 to 1901 during the Second Boer War; with the local rank of Colonel.[2] He was awarded the Queen’s South Africa Medal with Cape Colony and South Africa 1901 Clasps.[1]

After the war, he held various posts in the artillery in Britain, including Chief Instructor, School of Gunnery for Royal Horse Artillery and Royal Field Artillery 1909-1911, before returning to India as Commander, Royal Artillery 1911-1914. He was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel in 1904 and Colonel in 1907. He served in staff capacities during The Great War, including at Gallipoli from July to December 1915, and at Royal Army Corps Headquarters, Egypt until 1918. He attained the rank of Major General. For his service in this First World War he was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. He was appointed Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) in 1916. He was also appointed Grand Officer of the Order of the Nile in 1918 by the Sultan of Egypt and Grand Officer of the Order of the Star of Romania in 1919. In 1919 he was created Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) and retired from his military career.[1] He was mentioned in despatches on six occasions: 28th January 1916, 13th July 1916, 25th September 1916, 16th January 1918, 5th January 1919, and 22nd January 1919.

Smith passed away, aged 80 years, in 1940 at Brighton, Sussex, England.[3]

Honours and awards
Smith, deservedly, was honoured in several forms, from left to right:

Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
Companion of the Order of the Bath
Mentioned in Despatches
Queen’s South Africa Medal with two Clasps
1914-1915 Star
British War Medal
Victory Medal with MiD oak leaf Clasp
Grand Officer of the Order of the Nile with Rosette
Grand Officer of the Order of the Star of Romania with Rosette

33 Sussex Square belonged to 1924-1931

Major General Sir Sydenham Campbell Urquhart Smith KCMG CB was born in 1859 at Madras, India. He was a son of Doctor George Smith, Surgeon General of the Madras army, and Lucy Ann unknown.[1] He was educated at University College School.