Introduction

Ernest Alvia Smith was born on 3 May 1914 in New Westminster, British Columbia. He enlisted with the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada in March 1940 and began basic training with the Royal Canadian Regiment in Toronto. He went on to complete his training at Camp Borden before sailing out of Halifax to join the war effort in Europe.

The Italian campaign

In July 1943, Smith was part of the first successful Allied amphibious landing in the Second World War. Canadian soldiers came ashore near Pachino, Sicily, during the invasion of the Mediterranean island which took place less than a year after the failed Dieppe Raid of August 1942. “I thought for a while there when they were going in for that landing they were never gonna’ make it, because it was so rough, that water was just crazy,” explained Smith when asked about it in his Heroes Remember interview, “as soon as we hit the shore we … as soon as everybody got there we just took off right straight ahead.” In the months that followed, as the Canadians pushed their way from the south to the north of Italy, the fighting was particularly bitter.

“… so we'd blow holes through the wall so we go through that way. Cause if you walk out into the street they'd get ya.”

Ortona

Once the Canadians arrived in the town of Ortona in mainland Italy, its steep, rubble filled streets limited the use of tanks and artillery. During several days of brutal street fighting in December 1943, the Canadians smashed their way through walls and buildings—"mouse-holing" as they called it. “It was a terrible place. You know it, it was practically door to door,” explained Smith in an interview. “For miles, they had everything close together … so we'd blow holes through the wall so we go through that way. Cause if you walk out into the street they'd get ya’.”

“They must have figured there was a whole army there because they could have wiped me out in no time if they'd known I was practically all by myself.”

Victoria Cross

Mr. Smith describes the encounter with German troops across the Savio River in Italy for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross. He goes on to tell of receiving his medal from King George VI in his private apartment at Buckingham Palace. The video concludes as he speaks about his return to Vancouver and the hero's reception he received.

On the night of 21-22 October 1944, Smith’s unit attempted to establish a bridgehead across the Savio River in northern Italy but was counter-attacked by three Mark V Panther tanks and about 30 German infantry soldiers. “Our objective was to cross the river and that's what we did. We got in there and we weren't there too long before we were attacked by tanks,” recalled Smith. With an infantry anti tank weapon, he put one Panther tank out of action and drove back the enemy infantry. “In the end there was just Jimmy and I, and then he got wounded so that left only me. So, I had to stay out there by myself while everybody else was in the church.” As the attack continued, Smith held his position until the enemy withdrew. “They must have figured there was a whole army there because they could have wiped me out in no time if they'd known I was practically all by myself.” Smith was awarded the Victoria Cross for his brave actions.

An extract from The London Gazette, 20 December 1944, records the following events that led to Smith's Victoria Cross:

“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.”

Postwar life

After the war, Smith became actively involved in his community. He volunteered his time to commemorative activities for local, national and international events. Smith was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada in 1995.

Smith died in Vancouver, British-Columbia on 3 August 2005. At the time of his death, he was the last surviving Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross.

Interested in hearing more from Smokey? Watch his Heroes Remember interviews.

With courage, integrity and loyalty, Smokey Smith left his mark. He was one of our Canadian Veterans. Discover more stories.