William Douglas Smith

Major-General Sir William Douglas Smith (24 March 1865 – 4 February 1939) was a British Army officer who became Lieutenant Governor of Jersey.

Military career Smith was the son of Lt.-Col. Andrew William Douglas Smith, Royal Marines and Myra Elizabeth Luxmoore, an artist. He took part in the Burma expedition in 1886, was promoted to captain on 14 November 1894, and took part in the Tirah campaign in 1897.

He was promoted to major on 14 December 1902, while serving with the 1st Battalion of his regiment stationed in Allahabad, British India. He was appointed a brigade major in India in 1905 and, on 1 July 1911, after being promoted to lieutenant colonel, served as commanding officer (CO) of the 1st Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers. and taking command of the 9th Infantry Brigade, part of the 3rd Division, which was serving on the Western Front. He was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath in February 1915. He was promoted to substantive colonel on 1 July 1915, although with his seniority dating back to 14 December 1914. On 8 March 1916 he was promoted to temporary major general and became general officer commanding (GOC) of the 20th (Light) Division, and then as GOC 56th (1/1st London) Division, both of which were also serving on the Western Front. he took command of the 56th Division on a temporary basis between 24 July and 9 August 1917 after his predecessor, Major General Charles Hull, had been taken ill and until a permanent appointment could be made.

After the war he became commander of Portsmouth Garrison and then lieutenant governor of Jersey before relinquishing this appointment in March 1924 and retiring from the army the same month.

Family He married Kathleen Edith Beyts and had one daughter.