A sample biography of a recipient of the Efficiency Decoration [Ceylon] and the Efficiency Medal [Ceylon]


Col. Frederick Grace Smith OBE ED
Commanding Officer of the Ceylon Army Medical Corps

He was born on 22 Feb 22 1898. He was a doctor of medicine and spent all his life in Ceylon. He was qualified as a L.M.S.(Ceylon); L.R.C.P.& S.(Edin.); a L.R.F.P.& S. (Glas.) and a D.T.M.& H.(Lond.). On 21 March 1926 he was appointed Acting House Surgeon at the Victoria Memorial Eye Hospital in Ceylon and on 1 May 1926 he became Medical Officer, Grade II. He was also the District Medical Assistant, Batticaloa 5 May 1928; House Surgeon, Kalutara 15 Apr 1932; Asst. Medical Officer, Anti-Tuberculosis Institute, Colombo 5 May 1934; Medical Officer, Kankesanturai 31 July 1934; Asst. Port Health Officer, Colombo 31 Jan 1937 and Medical Officer Grade I, 10 Dec 1939.

He was appointed to Military duty on 15 June 1940, but on 4 Aug 1941 became the Asst. Physician of the Out-patients' Dept., General Hospital, Colombo. He was again on Military duty from 16 Dec 1941 and when demobilized became District Medical Officer, Kegalle.

Smith was a keen volunteer and was appointed a 2/Lt. CMC on 2 Nov 1926, and promoted to Lt. 1 May 1927. He was seconded on 1 Jan 1934 whilst studying in England, and was restored to the Active List on 19 Feb 1934. He was promoted to Capt. 16 Oct 1934 and Major 30 Sept 1935.

He was awarded the ED (Ceylon) on 14 Aug 1942, and was appointed an MBE (Mil) on 1 Jan 1943. Later he was promoted to Lt.Col., and was a Temp.Col. from 25 June to 24 Aug 1943 while officiating as Officer Commanding the CMC. For his War Service he was awarded the War Medal and the Defence Medal. Later he was the Honourary Surgeon to H.E. the Governor-General, and was the C/O of CMC. He was promoted to OBE (Mil) on 12 June 1947, and was awarded the EM [Ceylon] 19 Nov 1948. He also received the Coronation Medal in 1953 and the Ceylon Armed Services Inauguration Medal as Colonel, CAMC (Reserve), in Gazette of 4 Nov 1955. His full size medals and miniature medals are in two separate private collections in UK.

Decorations and Medals belonging to Col. F. G. Smith OBE ED