Archibald Bisset Smith
Archibald Bisset Smith VC (19 December 1878 – 10 March 1917) was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. Smith is one of only two members of the UK Merchant Navy to have been awarded the VC for his First World War service. World War I action and Victoria Cross Smith received this award for his action as Master of the New Zealand Shipping Company cargo ship . On 10 March 1917 in the Atlantic Ocean, Otaki, armed with one 4.7-inch gun, sighted the German merchant raider , which was armed with four 150 mm, one 105 mm and two 500 mm torpedo launches guns. The raider ordered Otaki to stop but Captain Smith refused. A duel ensued, during which Otaki secured a number of hits and caused Möwe considerable damage, but Otaki sustained much damage and was on fire. Captain Smith therefore ordered his crew to abandon ship, but he himself stayed aboard and went down with his ship. His citation reads: As a Merchant officer, Smith could not receive the VC at that time. In