Smith, Ernest Alvia Victoria Cross Recipient

Smith, Ernest Alvia (1914-). "Smokey" Smith, a native of New Westminster, British Columbia, first saw action when his regiment landed in Sicily in July, 1943. On October 21st and 22nd, while serving with the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada, Smith destroyed at least two German tanks, killed four Germans and caused the rest to withdraw. For his brave actions at a bridgehead over the Savio River, Italy, Smith was awarded the Victoria Cross. Smith, the first Canadian private to win a Victoria Cross in World War II, resides in Vancouver. As of 1995, Ernest Alvia Smith and Charles Cecil Ingersol Merrit are the only two Canadian Victoria Cross recipients still living.

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