Portal:Vancouver/Biographies/September 2007

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Ernest Alvia Smith (3 May 1914 – 3 August 2005), nicknamed Smokey, was born in New Westminster, British Columbia.

Henlisted 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.

Smith was a Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that be awarded to the United Kingdom and Commonwealth forces. He was the last living Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross. He was personally awarded it by King George VI at a ceremony in Buckingham Palace.

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. (read more)