Ernest Alvia 'Smokey' Smith VC

Discussion in 'Canadian' started by Paul K, Aug 5, 2005.

  1. Paul K

    Paul K Junior Member

    I dont know if this has already been posted but the last Canadian VC holder died at 91. He won it in Italy during WW2. I suppose he will be the last Canadian to have one because I don’t think Canadian soldiers today are eligible to receive it. The link below is a very good article about Ernest Alva "Smokey" Smith.

    http://ottsun.canoe.ca/News/National/2005/...158645-sun.html
     
  2. Kiwiwriter

    Kiwiwriter Very Senior Member

    I am truly saddened to hear of the death of this great Canadian warrior.

    I have always had the greatest admiration for those who wear the Victoria Cross, so few in number, and now even fewer. I enjoyed meeting the two I have met, Jack Hinton (New Zealand -- WW2) and Keith Payne (Australia -- Vietnam) and corresponding with Australia's other survivor, Ted Kenna (WW2). Every time a VC or Medal of Honor recipient passes, I am truly saddened.

    But I am happy that Smoky Smith got to live a long and happy life in peace, as Dick Winters wanted for his men, and got to see so many peaceful sunrises, as Smoky Smith wanted to.

    My prayers to his family.
     
  3. morse1001

    morse1001 Very Senior Member

    Originally posted by Paul K@Aug 5 2005, 01:39 PM
    I dont know if this has already been posted but the last Canadian VC holder died at 91. He won it in Italy during WW2. I suppose he will be the last Canadian to have one because I don’t think Canadian soldiers today are eligible to receive it. The link below is a very good article about Ernest Alva "Smokey" Smith.

    http://ottsun.canoe.ca/News/National/2005/...158645-sun.html
    [post=37287]Quoted post[/post]

    Sad to hear the of the death of such a brave man.
     
  4. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    Thank you for the post Paul K.

    Putting two tanks out of action single handedly....What a brave man!
     
  5. Gerard

    Gerard Seelow/Prora

    A true hero and typical of his generation, possibly the finest generation ever to have lived.
     
  6. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    Thanks Paul for posting this sad news - another D Day dodger fades away...
     
  7. Dac

    Dac Senior Member

    Thanks for the post Paul. We here in British Columbia will miss Smokey Smith.
     
  8. Maywalk

    Maywalk Junior Member

    This beautiful poem written by an unknown author was passed on to me to put on my veterans website. As the paper it was printed on bears the Canadian Legion Emblem I thought it fitting to put it here in memory of a great man.

    JUST A COMMON SOLDIER


    He was getting old and paunchy and the hair was falling fast
    And he sat around the Legion telling stories of his past.
    Of a war that he had fought in and deeds that he had done
    In his exploits with his buddies, they were heroes, every one.
    And tho' sometimes to his neighbors his tales became a joke
    All his legion buddies listened, for they knew whereof he spoke.
    But we hear his tales no longer, for old Tom has passed away
    And the world won't note his passing, but a soldier died to day.

    He will not be mourned by many just his children and his wife
    For he had lived a very quiet and uneventful life.
    Held a job and raised his family and went his own sweet way
    Yet the world's a little poorer, for a soldier died today.
    When politicians leave the earth, their bodies lie in state
    Thousands note their passing and proclaim that they were great.
    Papers tell their stories from the time that they were young
    But the passing of a soldier goes unnoticed and unsung.

    Is the greatest contribution to the welfare of our land
    A man who breaks his promise and cons his fellowman?
    A politician's stipend and the style in which he lives
    Are often disproportionate to the service that he gives.
    While the ordinary soldier who has offered up his all
    Is paid off with a medal and perhaps a pension small.
    It's SO easy to forget them, for it was long ago
    That the Toms of our country went to battle, but we know

    It's not the politicians with their compromise and ploys
    Who won for us the freedom that our country now enjoys.
    Should you find yourself in danger with your enemies at hand
    Would you want a politician with his ever shifting stand?
    Or would you prefer a soldier who has sworn to defend
    His home, his kin, his country and would fight until the end.
    He was just a common soldier and his ranks are getting thin
    But his presence should remind us we may need his like again.

    When countries are in conflict then we find the soldier's part
    Is to clean up all the troubles that the politicians start.
    If we cannot do him honour, while he's here to hear the praise
    Then let's give him a homage at the ending of his days.
    Perhaps a simple headline in a paper that would say
    OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING FOR A SOLDIER WHO DIED TODAY.



    God Bless All.
    Maywalk.
     
  9. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    Originally posted by Kiwiwriter@Aug 6 2005, 12:34 AM
    I am truly saddened to hear of the death of this great Canadian warrior.

    I have always had the greatest admiration for those who wear the Victoria Cross, so few in number, and now even fewer. I enjoyed meeting the two I have met, Jack Hinton (New Zealand -- WW2) and Keith Payne (Australia -- Vietnam) and corresponding with Australia's other survivor, Ted Kenna (WW2). Every time a VC or Medal of Honor recipient passes, I am truly saddened.

    But I am happy that Smoky Smith got to live a long and happy life in peace, as Dick Winters wanted for his men, and got to see so many peaceful sunrises, as Smoky Smith wanted to.

    My prayers to his family.
    [post=37290]Quoted post[/post]


    Keith Payne VC ...Vietnam, has now lost his mantle as the youngest VC winner to the young Private Johnson Gideon Beharry, 25 in Irag on May 1st 2004. Keith said he was getting too old to be the "youngest".
     
  10. Dac

    Dac Senior Member

    The memorial service for Smokey Smith was held in Ottawa today. We probably won't see his like again here in Canada.
     
  11. Arthur

    Arthur Senior Member

    Smokey Smith VC
    Last Canadian Victoria Cross holder


    Ernest Alvia "Smokey" Smith, soldier and travel agent: born New Westminster, British Columbia 3 May 1914; VC 1944; died Vancouver, British Columbia 3 August 2005.

    His obituary can be seen on line in 'The Independant.'

    May he rest in peace.

    Regards
    Arthur
     
  12. Kiwiwriter

    Kiwiwriter Very Senior Member

    I was truly saddened to learn of his death, as I admire all the VC recipients. He seemed to enjoy life after not one but two wars, being the ambassador for the VC, and even sunrises. He got to live that long and happy life at peace.

    "Here's to him, wha's like him? Gey few, and most of them dead."
     
  13. canuck

    canuck Closed Account

    October 21 and 22, 1944
    Savio, Italy

    Citation

    “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 objectives 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 almost hopeless.

    Under heavy fire from the approaching enemy tanks, Private Smith, showing great initiative and inspiring leadership, led his Piat Group of two men across an open field to a position from which the Piat could best be employed. Leaving one man on the weapon, Private Smith crossed the road with a companion, and obtained another Piat. 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 Piat 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 onto 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 eventual 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.”

    (London Gazette, no.36849, 20 December 1944)

    smokey.jpg

    "I don't take prisoners, period. I'm not paid to take prisoners.
    I'm paid to kill them. That's all there is to it."

    ernestsmith2.jpg ernestsmith.png
     
    Last edited: Oct 21, 2018
    Chris C and CL1 like this.
  14. 509thPIB

    509thPIB Well-Known Member

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