An Aberdonian First World War hero, who was granted the British military’s highest honour, has been recognised in his home city 100 years after his death.
Cults-born Captain Archibald Bisset Smith is one of only 1,358 servicemen and women ever to have been awarded the Victoria Cross.
And yesterday, a special stone was unveiled in the city’s Schoolhill as part of a national project to pay tribute to every recipient of the VC during the 1914-18 conflict.
The merchant navy man was given the medal posthumously for his gallantry and devotion to duty while captaining the SS Otaki, a vessel from the New Zealand shipping company, which was targeted by German raider, Moewe, in 1917 during a crossing from London to New York.
Despite only being armed with a 4.7-inch gun, the civilian ship returned fire, but when the Otaki was badly damaged and five of his men had been killed, the captain gave the order to abandon ship.
He himself stayed on board as the vessel sank.
The former Robert Gordon College pupil was one of only two merchant seamen to be awarded the honour during the bloody conflict, having being put into the Royal Navy reserves after his death in order to receive the medal.
The commemorative paving stone was officially unveiled by the Lord Provost, George Adam, the Lord Lieutenant’s cadet, David Roddy, and senior army cadet, Brodie Barker.
Mr Adam said: “It is my hope that generations of Aberdonians will see this stone and take the time to find out more about the bravery of Archibald Bisset Smith and the story of his life.”
Every year, the courage of the former Gordon’s pupil is commemorated through the Otaki Shield – a scholarship awarded to the head boy to take a seven-week trip to New Zealand.
Simon Mills, head of Robert Gordon’s College, added: “The example of the men involved during this sea battle in 1917 continues to inspire young people today a century later.”
Anne Bisset Smith said: “Archibald was my grandfather’s cousin. I feel honoured to be related to a person who, with his crew, demonstrated so much selfless bravery in the face of such terrible odds.”
Sir Neil McIntosh CBE, Honorary Consul of the New Zealand High Commission, added: “The strong links which have been formed between Robert Gordon’s College and Otaki in the North Island of New Zealand are a continuing, living reminder of his bravery and commitment.”
