Ernest Smith

Ernest Alvia "Smokey" Smith (3 May 1914 – 3 August 2005) was a Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest 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. Early life and career Born in New Westminster, British Columbia, Smith came of age during the Great Depression and, along with many others, struggled to find steady employment. He was 25 when he joined the Canadian Army on 5 March 1940, becoming part of The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada. In 1943, he first entered into combat. On 10 July 1943, he was part of the 1st Canadian Infantry Division landing in Sicily, remaining active throughout the Sicily and Italian campaign between July 1943 and February 1945. On the night of 21/22 October 1944 at the River Savio, in northern Italy, Private Smith was in the spearhead of the attack which established a bridgehead over the river. With a PIAT anti-tank launcher he disabled a Mark V Panther tank at a range of just , and while protecting a wounded comrade, killed four panzergrenadiers 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 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 corporal nine times, but demoted back to private each time prior to his actions at the River Savio. He later achieved the rank of sergeant.