Ernest Alvia ("Smokey") Smith in his official portrait from the Order of British Columbia in 2002. He is seen here wearing the Order of British Columbia (around his neck), and the Victoria Cross (leftmost), the Order of Canada (second from left), and the Canadian Forces Decoration (rightmost) on his jacket.

For the cricketer Ernest James "Tiger" Smith, see Tiger Smith.

Ernest Alvia ("Smokey") Smith VC CM OBC CD (3 May 1914 – 3 August 2005) was a Canadian 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. He was the last living Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross. Download high resolution version (580x894, 39 KB)This is Smokey Smiths official portrait from the Order of British Columbia. ... Download high resolution version (580x894, 39 KB)This is Smokey Smiths official portrait from the Order of British Columbia. ... The Order of British Columbia is British Columbias highest award for outstanding achievement. ... Victoria Cross medal, ribbon, and bar. ... Seal of the Order of Canada The Order of Canada is Canadas highest civilian honour, with membership awarded to those who exemplify the Orders Latin motto Desiderantes meliorem patriam, which means (those) desiring a better country. ... The Canadian Forces Decoration is a Canadian award given to officers and members of the Canadian Forces who have completed twelve years of military service. ... Headline text flag = Flag_of_England. ... Victoria Cross medal, ribbon, and bar. ... Seal of the Order of Canada The Order of Canada is Canadas highest civilian honour, with membership awarded to those who exemplify the Orders Latin motto Desiderantes meliorem patriam, which means (those) desiring a better country. ... The Order of British Columbia is British Columbias highest award for outstanding achievement. ... The Canadian Forces Decoration is a Canadian award given to officers and members of the Canadian Forces who have completed twelve years of military service. ... May 3 is the 123rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (124th in leap years). ... Year 1914 (MCMXIV) was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... August 3 is the 215th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (216th in leap years), with 150 days remaining. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Victoria Cross medal, ribbon, and bar. ... The Commonwealth of Nations (CN), usually known as the Commonwealth, is a voluntary association of 53 independent sovereign states, the majority of which are former colonies of the United Kingdom. ... This is a list of Canadian recipients of the Victoria Cross, the highest war honour of the British Empire and the Commonwealth of Nations. ...

Early life

Smith was born in New Westminster, British Columbia on May 3, 1914. He attended Richard McBride and Herbert Spencer public schools and TJ Trapp technical high school. He excelled in sports, notably soccer and track athletics. It has been said that he got his nickname "Smokey" due to his speed at running, although in later years Smith claimed he did not remember when where or why he got that name. He graduated from high school just as the Great Depression hit North America. Smith, along with thousands of other men, regularly "rode the rails" seeking employment. Member of Parliament Peter Julian (NDP) Dawn Black (NDP) Member of the Legislative Assembly Chuck Puchmayr (NDP) Mayor Wayne Wright Councillors Jonathan Cote Calvin Donnelly Bill Harper Betty McIntosh Bob Osterman Lorrie Williams Location , Population (2001) 54,656 Immigrant Population 15,025 (28%) Languages English(Official) 78% French(Official) 1... May 3 is the 123rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (124th in leap years). ... Year 1914 (MCMXIV) was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... Football is a ball game played between two teams of eleven players, each attempting to win by scoring more goals than their opponent. ... A womens 400 metre hurdles race on a typical outdoor red rubber track. ... The Great Depression was an economic downturn which started in 1929 and lasted through most of the 1930s. ... World map showing North America A satellite composite image of North America. ...

Army career

Smith enlisted as a private in the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada, Canadian Army, in Vancouver on March 5, 1940, aged 25, and was initially stationed in Scotland and England during the Battle of Britain. He first experienced combat in the autumn of 1942. On July 10, 1943, he and his fellow Seaforth Highlanders landed with the 1st Canadian Infantry Division in Sicily and fought through the Sicily and Italian campaign in 1943 and 1944. A Private is a soldier of the lowest military rank (equivalent to Nato Rank Grades OR-1 to OR-3 depending on the force served in). ... The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada are a Canadian Forces Land Force Command infantry regiment of 39 Canadian Brigade Group. ... Canadian Forces Land Force Command (LF) is responsible for army operations within the Canadian Armed Forces. ... Vancouver (pronounced: ) is a city in southwestern British Columbia, Canada. ... March 5 is the 64th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (65th in leap years). ... Year 1940 (MCMXL) was a leap year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1940 calendar). ... Combatants United Kingdom Germany Commanders Hugh Dowding Hermann Göring Albert Kesselring Strength initially 700; grew to nearly 1000 by the end of the Battle. ... July 10 is the 191st day (192nd in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 174 days remaining. ... Year 1943 (MCMXLIII) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1943 calendar). ... List of military divisions — List of Canadian divisions in WWII The Canadian 1st Infantry Division was formed at the outbreak of World War I in August 1914. ... Sicily (Sicilia in Italian, Latin, Sicilian and Spanish, Σικελία in Greek, Sqallija Maltese) is an autonomous region of Italy and the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, with an area of 25,700 km² and 5 million inhabitants. ... Artillery being landed during the invasion of mainland Italy at Salerno, September 1943. ...

By the time of the action in northern Italy that earned him the VC, Smith was 30 years old and had been wounded twice. On the night of 21 October 22 October 1944 at the River Savio, North Italy, Private Smith was in the spearhead of the attack which established a bridgehead over the river. With a P.I.A.T. anti-tank launcher he put an enemy tank out of action at a range of 30 feet (10 metres), and while protecting a wounded comrade, he destroyed another tank and two self-propelled guns, and routed a number of the enemy infantry. October 21 is the 294th day of the year (295th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 71 days remaining. ... October 22 is the 295th day of the year (296th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 70 days remaining. ... Year 1944 (MCMXLIV) was a leap year starting on Saturday. ... The Savio River is a river in northern Italy. ... PIAT in Canadian War Museum The PIAT, for Projector, Infantry, Anti Tank, was one of the earlier anti-tank weapons based on a HEAT shell. ... A foot (plural: feet or foot;[1] symbol or abbreviation: ft or, sometimes, ′ – a prime) is a unit of length, in a number of different systems, including English units, Imperial units, and United States customary units. ... The metre, or meter (U.S.), is a measure of length. ... A self-propelled gun is an armored fighting vehicle which primarily based on and serves to transport the gun with which its equipped. ...

He was an independent and strong-willed man who frequently questioned authority. He was promoted to corporal nine times, but subsequently demoted back to private nine times prior to his actions at the River Savio. He later achieved the rank of sergeant. Corporal is a rank in use in some form by most militaries, police forces or other uniformed organizations around the world. ... Sergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organisations around the world. ...

Account of bravery

From the London Gazette, December 20, 1944: The London Gazette , front page from Monday 3 - 10 September 1666, reporting on the Great Fire of London. ... December 20 is the 354th day of the year (355th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1944 (MCMXLIV) was a leap year starting on Saturday. ...

"In Italy on the night of 21st-22nd October 1944, a Canadian Infantry Brigade was ordered to establish a bridgehead across the Savio River. The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada were selected as the spearhead of the attack, and in weather most unfavourable to the operation they crossed the river and captured their objective in spite of strong opposition from the enemy.

Torrential rain had caused the Savio River to rise six feet in five hours, and as the soft vertical banks made it impossible to bridge the river no tanks or anti-tank guns could be taken across the raging stream to the support of the rifle companies.

As the right forward company was consolidating its objective it was suddenly counter-attacked by a troop of three Mark V Panther tanks supported by two self-propelled guns and about thirty infantry and the situation appeared hopeless.

Under heavy fire from the approaching enemy tanks, Private Smith, showing great initiative and inspiring leadership, led his P.I.A.T. Group of two men across an open field to a position from which the P.I.A.T. could best be employed. Leaving one man on the weapon, Private Smith crossed the road with a companion and obtained another P.I.A.T. Almost immediately an enemy tank came down the road firing its machine-guns along the line of the ditches. Private Smith's comrade was wounded. At a range of thirty feet and having to expose himself to the full view of the enemy, Private Smith fired the P.I.A.T. and hit the tank, putting it out of action. Ten German infantry immediately jumped off the back of the tank and charged him with Schmeissers and grenades. Without hesitation Private Smith moved out on the road and with his Tommy gun at point-blank range, killed four Germans and drove the remainder back. Almost immediately another tank opened fire and more enemy infantry closed in on Smith's position. Obtaining some abandoned Tommy gun magazines from a ditch, he steadfastly held his position, protecting his comrade and fighting the enemy with his Tommy gun until they finally gave up and withdrew in disorder.

One tank and both self-propelled guns had been destroyed by this time, but yet another tank swept the area with fire from a longer range. Private Smith, still showing utter contempt for enemy fire, helped his wounded friend to cover and obtained medical aid for him behind a nearby building. He then returned to his position beside the road to await the possibility of a further enemy attack.

No further immediate attack developed, and as a result the battalion was able to consolidate the bridgehead position so vital to the success of the whole operation, which led to the capture of San Giorgio Di Cesena and a further advance to the Ronco River.

Thus, by the dogged determination, outstanding devotion to duty and superb gallantry of this private soldier, his comrades were so inspired that the bridgehead was held firm against all enemy attacks, pending the arrival of tanks and anti-tank guns some hours later."

The Savio River is a river in northern Italy. ... The Panther ( ) was a tank fielded by Germany in World War II that served from mid-1943 to the end of the European war in 1945. ... PIAT in Canadian War Museum The PIAT, for Projector, Infantry, Anti Tank, was one of the earlier anti-tank weapons based on a HEAT shell. ... A . ... Maschinenpistole 40 Nationality Germany Type Submachine gun Inventor Erma Werk Date of design 1938 Service duration 1939-1945 Cartridge 9 x 19 mm Action Blowback Rate of fire 500 round/min Muzzle velocity ~380 m/s Effective range ~ 100 m Weight (Unloaded) 3. ... Grenade may refer to: The well-known hand grenade commonly used by soldiers. ... A lance corporal of the East Surrey Regiment, British Army equipped with a Thompson M1928 submachine gun (drum magazine), 25 November 1940 The Thompson, also known as the Tommy Gun, was a family of American submachine guns that became infamous during the Prohibition era. ...

Later military career

Smith was personally awarded his VC by King George VI at a ceremony in Buckingham Palace. It is a long-standing legend that Canadian military authorities, concerned for the personal behaviour of their brand-new VC recipient en-route to London, placed him in a jail cell in Rome overnight. Smith himself would neither confirm nor deny this story. George VI (Albert Frederick Arthur George Windsor) (14 December 1895 - 6 February 1952) became the King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, each of the British Dominions, and Emperor of India, upon the unexpected abdication of his brother, Edward VIII. He reigned from 11 December 1936... Buckingham Palace and the Victoria Memorial. ... Nickname: The Eternal City Motto: SPQR: Senatus PopulusQue Romanus Location of the city of Rome (yellow) within the Province of Rome (red) and region of Lazio (grey) Coordinates: Region Lazio Province Province of Rome Founded 21 April 753 BC  - Mayor Walter Veltroni Area    - City 1285 km²  (580 sq mi)  - Urban...

After receiving the VC, Smokey Smith was made a "poster boy" for the Canadian War Bonds drive. Smith was demobilised after World War II, but returned in 1950 when he re-enlisted to serve in the Korean War. Poster Boy is a 2004 gay-themed drama film. ... Categories: Stub ... Combatants United Nations: Republic of Korea  Australia  Belgium Canada  Colombia Ethiopia  France Greece  Netherlands  New Zealand  Philippines South Africa  Thailand  Turkey  United Kingdom United States Medical staff:  Denmark  India  Italy  Norway  Sweden Communist states: Democratic People’s Republic of Korea People’s Republic of China  Soviet Union Commanders Syngman Rhee...

Military authorities considered him too valuable an icon to risk in direct combat and he was not allowed at the front. He ended his military career as a recruiting sergeant in Vancouver, retiring from the military in 1964. As a result of his extended service, he received the Canadian Forces Decoration for 12 years of service. He was an honorary member of the Royal Military College of Canada. The Canadian Forces Decoration is a Canadian award given to officers and members of the Canadian Forces who have completed twelve years of military service. ... The Royal Military College of Canada (RMC), is the military academy of the Canadian Forces and is a full degree-granting university. ...

Civilian life

Smith married Esther Weston in 1947 with whom he had two children, David and Norma-Jean. Smokey and Esther established "Smith Travel" in downtown Vancouver in 1969 which ran successfully until it was closed in 1992 when the Smiths retired. Smokey regularly accompanied his clients to historical World War II venues. The two were married for nearly 50 years until Esther's death in December 1996.

In his later years, as the number of living veterans began to grow thin, Smokey found himself the last living Canadian VC recipient in 2000. By this time Smith was retired and devoted much of his time to helping his fellow veterans, making frequent public appearances all over the world to assist in remembrance day ceremonies and greeted the Queen after her arrival during an official visit. Smith was also on hand to unveil a Canadian postage stamp featuring both the British and Canadian version of the Victoria Cross in 2004. The Canadian Pacific Railway dedicated a railcar in his honour on November 29, 2003. A selection of Hong Kong postage stamps A postage stamp is evidence of pre-paying a fee for postal services. ... An eastbound CPR freight at Stoney Creek Bridge in Rogers Pass. ... A railcar (not to be confused with a railway car) is a self-propelled railway vehicle designed to transport passengers. ... November 29 is the 333rd (in leap years the 334th) day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

He assisted in the negotiations with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission for the disinterment from Vimy Ridge and return to Canada of the remains of Canada's unknown soldier. He was a representative of all Canadian veterans in May 2000 in Ottawa at the consecration of Canada's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The Azmak Cemetery, near Suvla Bay, Turkey, contains the graves of some of the soldiers who died during the Gallipoli Campaign. ... The Battle of Vimy Ridge was one of the opening battles in a larger British campaign known as the Battle of Arras. ... Motto: Advance Ottawa/Ottawa en avant Location of the City of Ottawa in the Province of Ontario Coordinates: Country Canada Province Ontario Established 1850 as Town of Bytown Incorporated 1855 as City of Ottawa Amalgamated January 1, 2001 Mayor Larry OBrien Local government Ottawa City Council (21 councillors) MPs... The Canadian Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is located at the National War Memorial in Confederation Square, Ottawa. ...

Smith was appointed a member of the Order of Canada on November 15, 1995 and received the honour in a ceremony performed on February 15, 1996. He became a member of the Order of British Columbia in 2002: he was originally passed over for this honour until Clifford Chadderton, the Ministry of Veterans Affairs, and several other organizations, wrote letters to the Lieutenant-Governor of British Columbia in his defence. Seal of the Order of Canada The Order of Canada is Canadas highest civilian honour, with membership awarded to those who exemplify the Orders Latin motto Desiderantes meliorem patriam, which means (those) desiring a better country. ... November 15 is the 319th day of the year (320th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 46 days remaining. ... 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... February 15 is the 46th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1996 (MCMXCVI) was a leap year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty. ... The Order of British Columbia is British Columbias highest award for outstanding achievement. ... Hugh Clifford Chadderton, C.C., O. Ont. ... Categories: Lieutenant Governors of British Columbia | Lists of office-holders ...

Death and funeral

Smokey Smith died at his home in New Westminster on August 3, 2005 at the age of 91. His body was placed in the foyer of the House of Commons to lie in state on August 9, 2005, making him only the ninth person to be accorded this honour; government flags flew at half-mast on that day. He lay in repose at Vancouver's Seaforth Armoury on August 12, with a full military funeral in Vancouver on August 13. The Pattullo Bridge (centre) connects New Westminster (left) with Surrey (right) across the Fraser River. ... August 3 is the 215th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (216th in leap years), with 150 days remaining. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The House of Commons (French: Chambre des communes) is a component of the Parliament of Canada, along with the Sovereign (represented by the Governor General) and the Senate. ... Lying-in-state is the term used during a major funeral procession when the coffin is placed on public view to allow members of the public to pay their respects to the deceased. ... August 9 is the 221st day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (222nd in leap years), with 144 days remaining. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Flag Flying Half-Staff over the White House Half-staff or half-mast describes the act of flying a flag approximately halfway up a flagpole (though anywhere from one-third to two-thirds of the way up the flagpole is acceptable). ... Lying in repose is when the remains of a deceased person, often one of some stature, are available for viewing by the public. ... Vancouver (pronounced: ) is a city in southwestern British Columbia, Canada. ... August 12 is the 224th day of the year (225th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... August 13 is the 225th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (226th in leap years), with 140 days remaining. ...

The medal

Smith donated his VC to the Seaforth Highlanders in his will. The medal is on display at the Seaforth Armories, located at the foot of the Burrard Street Bridge in Vancouver, British Columbia. In the common law, a will or testament is a document by which a person (the testator) regulates the rights of others over his property or family after death. ... The Burrard Street Bridge viewed from the east. ... Vancouver (pronounced: ) is a city in southwestern British Columbia, Canada. ... Motto: Splendor Sine Occasu (Latin: Splendour without diminishment) Official languages English de facto (none stated in law) Flower Pacific dogwood Tree Western Redcedar Bird Stellers Jay Capital Victoria Largest city Vancouver Lieutenant-Governor Iona Campagnolo Premier Gordon Campbell (BC Liberal) Parliamentary representation  - House seats  - Senate seats 36 6 Area...

Photo gallery

Image File history File links This is an image of Smokey Smith unveiling a postage stamp. ... Image File history File links This is an image of The Honourable Rey Pagtakhan and Smokey Smith being presented with the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1077x982, 167 KB)Smokey Smith being moved into the church by the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada after the procession in Vancouver down Burrard Street. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (853x550, 213 KB) Summary Funeral Procession for Ernest Alvia Smokey Smith, the last living recipient of the Victoria Cross. ...

External links

• Obituary in The Globe and Mail
• Obituary in The Toronto Star
• 'Smokey' Smith's ashes flown to Ottawa
• Order of Canada Citation
• Smokey's page in the Order of British Columbia
• CBC radio archives clip about Smokey
• Veterans Affair Canada biography page
• CBC transcript - Smokey is interviewed but the transcriber lists him as "Unidentified Veteran
• new release about Smokey's OBC
• VIDEO CLIP CBC news 29 October 2004 - Smokey returns to Italy 60 years later
• Canada Veterans Affair photogallery