"The appointment of a non commissioned officer to commission surgeon in the army, recorded this week in the promotion First-Class Staff- Sergeant Frederick Smith, of the Medical Staff Corps, is without precedent, and a distinction probably unique in the history of any army in the world. Surgeon Frederick Smith, who is to rank as captain, enlisted in the Army Hospital Corps 13 years ago, and in that department took part the Zulu War, for which he received the medal. He has of late years been employed as the steward tbe Royal Infirmary, Dublin, and while there has attended the various civil hospitals with such success as obtain the.necessary diplomas to practise medicine and surgery. He has since gone through the Netley course of study in military medical matters, and having duly qualified for promotion obtains his commission as well-earned reward. His future career will be watched with deep interest."
Nottingham Evening Post - Friday 22 August 1890