Ernest Alvia "Smokey" Smith

At the Savio River, one private faced a German Panther tank.

Ernest Alvia “Smokey” Smith was born on 3 May 1914 in New Westminster, British Columbia. He enlisted in the Canadian Army in March 1940 and served with the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada during the Second World War. He fought in Sicily and mainland Italy, including the Battle of Ortona.

On the night of 21–22 October 1944, his battalion crossed the Savio River. As German armour and infantry counterattacked the bridgehead, Private Smith used a PIAT anti-tank weapon to disable a Panther tank at close range. He then fought off infantry with a Thompson submachine gun while protecting a wounded comrade. His stand helped the Canadians hold their position. The action earned him the Victoria Cross, presented by King George VI at Buckingham Palace. The official citation in The London Gazette recognized his bravery, determination and devotion to duty.

After the war, Smith returned to civilian life. He re-enlisted in 1951 and retired from the Canadian Army as a Sergeant in 1964. He remained an advocate for veterans and remembrance. His later honours included appointment as a Member of the Order of Canada and membership in the Order of British Columbia. He was approved for the British Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002 and received the Minister of Veterans Affairs Commendation on 23 May 2003.

Smith died in Vancouver on 3 August 2005, aged 91. He was the last surviving Canadian Victoria Cross recipient at the time of his death.