Sapper Edward Smallwood Royal Engineers and British Transport Police
1939-45 Star. Africa Star. Italy Star. Defence Medal. War Medal 1939-45. Police Exemplary Service Medal. Efficiency Medal 'Territorial'. British Railways 15 Years First Aid Efficiency Medal.
The Man Edward Smallwood was born in around 1920. He enlisted into the Royal Engineers Territorial Army during the late 1930s with service number 2075277. He was called up at the start of World War II and saw service in the North Africa and Italy campaigns.
Following the war, he was awarded the 1939-45 Star, Africa Star, Italy Star, Defence Medal and War Medal 1939-45. Followed by the Efficiency Medal ‘Territorial’ which appeared in Army Order 119 of 1946.
Edward subsequently joined the British Transport Police and promoted to Sergeant. He was awarded the Police Exemplary Service Medal for 22 years’ service and the British Railways 15 years Efficiency Medal in 1968, indicating he was a proficient first aider, most likely connected to his Police work.
No further details on Edward Smallwood are currently known.
Following the war, he was awarded the 1939-45 Star, Africa Star, Italy Star, Defence Medal and War Medal 1939-45. Followed by the Efficiency Medal ‘Territorial’ which appeared in Army Order 119 of 1946.
Edward subsequently joined the British Transport Police and promoted to Sergeant. He was awarded the Police Exemplary Service Medal for 22 years’ service and the British Railways 15 years Efficiency Medal in 1968, indicating he was a proficient first aider, most likely connected to his Police work.
No further details on Edward Smallwood are currently known.
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Christmas Card from His Majesty King George VI presumably to Edward Smallwood
The Story The medals awarded to Edward Smallwood were acquired from E-Bay on 20th November 2020, rather impulsively and towards the end of a ‘Lockdown 2’ walk. They were of interest because of the Police Exemplary Service and Efficiency Medal combination, together with the slightly unusual British Railways 15 Years First aid Efficiency Medal, also named to the recipient and mounted with the group.
Unfortunately, apart from the likelihood Edward served in the British Transport Police and locating the Army Order confirming award of his Efficiency Medal in 1946, no other detail could be found. There were a number of Edward Smallwood’s born in or around 1920 on Ancestry.UK – the likely birth era given the combination of medals.
Unfortunately, apart from the likelihood Edward served in the British Transport Police and locating the Army Order confirming award of his Efficiency Medal in 1946, no other detail could be found. There were a number of Edward Smallwood’s born in or around 1920 on Ancestry.UK – the likely birth era given the combination of medals.
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Obverse and reverse of Edward Smallwood's British Railways 15 years First Aid Efficiency Medal.
Medal Details:
- 1939-45 Star: Unnamed as awarded.
- Africa Star: Unnamed as awarded.
- Italy Star: Unnamed as awarded.
- Defence Medal: Unnamed as awarded.
- War Medal 1939-45: Unnamed as awarded.
- Police Exemplary Service Medal: SERGT EDWARD SMALLWOOD
- Efficiency Medal: 2075277 SPR. E SMALLWOOD. R.E.
- British Railways 15 Years First Aid Efficiency Medal: M.2015 1968 E. SMALLWOOD
This page last updated 9 Mar 21
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