2nd Battalion East Lancashire Regiment.

Awarded the Military Medal in the London Gazette of 23 February 1918.

Smith was a native of Burnley, Lancashire.

The Burnley Express of 15 March 1919 reported, Private J. Smith, M.M. whose home is at 39, Red Lion Street, Burnley, was a signaller in the 2nd Battalion East Lancashire Regiment. "The battalion were holding the front line at Paschendaele about November 21st 1917. During a heavy bombardment, which lasted for 48 hours, communications broke down, and it was necessary that the signallers should act as runners. Private Smith, along with four others, had to carry messages from company headquarters to battalion headquarters. Three of the runners were killed and one wounded. Private Smith, the last survivor, had to carry on alone". It was for this bravery, whilst carrying messages under heavy shell fire, that he was awarded the Military Medal.