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I was given the VC and told to put it in my pocket. I wasn't allowed to wear it for at least three days so the
Canadian newspapers would have it the same time as the British ones. So for three days, I'm sitting in a bar in London drinking to beat hell. Someone came and said, “Okay, Smoky, you can put
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period were donated to three museums by his daughter in 2011, one each to the Black Watch Museum in
Montreal, the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada Museum and Archives in Vancouver and the New Westminster Museum and Archives. His 1947 dated battledress blouse and one of his Glengarries are in a private
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Smith was asked what was it like to meet the King? “It was kind of astounding. I go to
Buckingham Palace and I say to the guard, “What am I supposed to do?” He says, “You do exactly as I do: take a bow from the hips.” I said, “Oh Christ, you think I’m going to do that, you’re crazy.” I just saluted
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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
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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
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In 1947, Smith wed Esther Weston, with whom he had two children, David and Norma-Jean. After his retirement from the military, Smith opened a travel agency with his wife, "Smith Travel", which was in operation from 1969 to 1992. During these years, Smith regularly visited sites related to World War
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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
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along the line of the ditches. Private Smith's comrade, Private
Tennant was wounded. At a range 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
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and routed others. When another tank was sent to take out his position, he used another PIAT to damage it enough to cause it to retreat. He then carried his wounded comrade, and later joined a counterattack to disperse the
Germans still attacking his previous position. The squad destroyed three
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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 Private Tennant and
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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
Private James Tennant and obtained another P.I.A.T. Almost immediately an enemy tank came down the road firing its
604:. The regiment has his Victoria Cross decoration and his full sized medals are in a safe deposit box. The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada Museum and Archives had a replica VC and set of medals and a generic World War II uniform on display. Three original uniforms from his
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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
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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.
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in 2002. Gary Pawson nominated him for the Order of
British Columbia starting in 1997, and each year following until he was finally so honoured. He was originally passed over for this honour until
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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
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ceremonies and greeting the Queen after her arrival during an official visit. He appeared in May 2000 in representation of the veterans of Canada at the consecration ceremony of Canada's
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Panther tanks, two self-propelled artillery pieces, a half-track, a scout car, and a large number of German soldiers. Smith had been promoted to
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nine times, but demoted back to private each time prior to his actions at the River Savio. He later achieved the rank of
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Smokey Smith died at his home in Vancouver on August 3, 2005, at the age of 91. His body was placed in the foyer of the
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As the right forward company was consolidating its objective it was suddenly counter-attacked by a troop of three
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on August 9, 2005, making him only the ninth person to be accorded this honour; government flags flew at
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on that medal now.” So I took it out and put it on my chest, and I never bought another drink that day.”
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supported by two self-propelled guns and about thirty infantry and the situation appeared hopeless.
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Smith left the service after World War II, but returned in 1950 when he re-enlisted during the
1184:"Page 5841 | Supplement 36849, 19 December 1944 | London Gazette | the Gazette"
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on November 15, 1995, and received the honour in a ceremony on February 15, 1996. He became a
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II with clients. The couple retired in 1992, and Smith's wife died four years later, in 1996.
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CBC transcript – Smokey is interviewed but the transcriber lists him as "Unidentified Veteran
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returned to his position beside the road to await the possibility of a further enemy attack.
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at a range of just 30 feet (9.1 metres), and while protecting a wounded comrade, killed four
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fighting the enemy with his Tommy gun until they finally gave up and withdrew in disorder.
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Branch 638 (Kanata), and is dedicated to Private Ernest Alvia Smith, VC, CM, OBC, C.D.
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featuring both the British and Canadian versions of the Victoria Cross in 2004. The
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VIDEO CLIP CBC news 29 October 2004 – Smokey returns to Italy 60 years later
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Military funeral procession for Smith in Vancouver on August 13, 2005
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in Vancouver on August 13. His ashes were scattered at sea in the
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and, along with many others, struggled to find steady employment.
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Canadian soldier of World War II, recipient of the Victoria Cross
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VC Action took place on the night of 21–22 October 1944 at the
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1240:"Royal Military College of Canada Honorary Degree Recipients"
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Veterans Affair Canada biography page: SMITH, Ernest Alvia
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In Italy on the night of 21st–22nd October 1944, a
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Canadian World War II recipients of the Victoria Cross
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125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal
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314:On the night of 21/22 October 1944 at the
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1132:(Supplement). 19 December 1944. p. 5841.
1064:For 12 Years Service in the Canadian Forces.
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673:. Unsourced material may be challenged and
1098:"Victoria Cross Bios - Ernest Alvia Smith"
1044:2002. Both British and Canadian Versions.
1006:1977. Both British and Canadian Versions.
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693:Learn how and when to remove this message
30:For other people named Ernest Smith, see
1367:Members of the Order of British Columbia
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270:Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross
1387:Seaforth Highlanders of Canada soldiers
1382:Canadian Army personnel of World War II
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1076:of Doctor of Military Science from the
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1001:Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal
596:Smith donated his VC and medals to the
527:Lieutenant-Governor of British Columbia
519:Member of the Order of British Columbia
429:bestowed the VC on Smith personally at
208:Member of the Order of British Columbia
1283:'Smokey' Smith's ashes flown to Ottawa
842:Member Announced on 15 November 1995.
311:between July 1943 and February 1945.
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1293:CBC radio archives clip about Smokey
671:adding citations to reliable sources
510:in his honour on November 29, 2003.
1325:Canada Veterans Affair photogallery
963:Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal
256:(3 May 1914 – 3 August 2005) was a
1143:Order of British Columbia citation
307:, remaining active throughout the
297:The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada
295:on 5 March 1940, becoming part of
173:The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada
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1226:"Mr. Ernest Alvia 'Smokey' Smith"
1198:"Mr. Ernest Alvia (Smokey) Smith"
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1100:. 14 April 2009. Archived from
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598:Seaforth Highlanders of Canada
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409:and a further advance to the
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204:Member of the Order of Canada
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32:Ernest Smith (disambiguation)
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37:For the 1935 film, see
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407:San Giorgio Di Cesena
276:Early life and career
149:Years of service
667:improve this section
370:Mark V Panther tanks
1104:on 8 September 2012
1080:on 18 January 2001.
523:Clifford Chadderton
461:recruiting sergeant
448:" for the Canadian
328:Mark V Panther tank
39:Smokey Smith (film)
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1102:the original
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880:1939-45 Star
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220:Ernest Alvia
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183:World War II
179:Battles/wars
99:(2005-08-03)
1352:2005 deaths
1347:1914 births
1266:Obituary in
1256:Obituary in
1124:"No. 36849"
812:Savio River
788:Description
606:Black Watch
411:Ronco River
387:Schmeissers
362:Savio River
316:River Savio
303:landing in
66:Nickname(s)
1341:Categories
1108:6 December
1085:References
896:Italy Star
683:March 2015
457:Korean War
446:poster boy
320:bridgehead
111:Allegiance
84:3 May 1914
80:1914-05-03
1168:4 January
947:War Medal
654:does not
592:Memorials
555:half-mast
450:War Bonds
395:Tommy gun
154:1950–1964
152:1940–1945
104:Vancouver
1328:Archived
1301:Archived
1269:Archived
844:Invested
820:Gazetted
497:Canadian
391:grenades
377:P.I.A.T.
354:Canadian
347:Citation
341:sergeant
337:corporal
280:Born in
258:Canadian
163:Sergeant
129:Service/
675:removed
660:sources
623:In the
600:in his
508:railcar
452:drive.
357:enemy.
1025:1992.
791:Notes
785:Ribbon
627:novel
585:Ottawa
417:later.
305:Sicily
224:Smokey
196:Awards
140:
131:branch
123:Canada
120:
69:Smokey
987:1967
968:1953
862:(OBC)
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242:,
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235:,
228:Smith
1170:2017
1110:2012
1060:(CD)
838:(CM)
806:(VC)
658:any
656:cite
602:will
389:and
324:PIAT
169:Unit
159:Rank
94:Died
74:Born
814:in
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549:to
246:OBC
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