Ernest Alvia Smith
Private, Seaforth Highlanders of Canada
- Register No.
- 1157 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Private all Privates →
- Unit
- Seaforth Highlanders of Canada (register: 1st Canadian Infantry Division) all 1st Canadian Infantry Division VCs →
- Date of action
- 21–22 October 1944 on this day → all of 1944 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Second World War
- London Gazette
- 20th December 1944 on this day → all of 1944 →
- Born
- 3rd May 1914 at New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
- Medal held by
- unknown
Digest of citation
Private Smith of the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada, was in the spearhead of the attack to establish a bridgehead over the River Savio, in Northern Italy on the night of the 21st and 22nd October 1944, which they did, inspite of strong enemy opposition At a range of 30 feet, and in full view of the enemy, Private Smith put a German tank out of action with a Projector, Infantry Anti-Tank gun. (PIAT). Again, he destroyed a second tank as well as two self-propelled guns, whilst protecting a wounded soldier. He also routed a body of enemy infantry with a Thomson machine-gun at point-blank range. He kept more enemy infantry engaged, using some abandoned Tommy gun magazines from a ditch, until they withdrew in disarray
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
SMITH, Ernest Alvia. (reg. No.1157)
Private. Seaforth Highlanders of Canada.
London Gazetted on 20th December 1944.
VC Medal's Custodian is unknown.
Born on 3rd May 1914 at New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada. Resident in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada . Attended VC dedication at Westminster Abbey on 14th May 2003 Digest of Citation reads: Private Smith of the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada, was in the spearhead of the attack to establish a bridgehead over the River Savio, in Northern Italy on the night of the 21st and 22nd October 1944, which they did, inspite of strong enemy opposition At a range of 30 feet, and in full view of the enemy, Private Smith put a German tank out of action with a Projector, Infantry Anti-Tank gun. (PIAT). Again, he destroyed a second tank as well as two self-propelled guns, whilst protecting a wounded soldier. He also routed a body of enemy infantry with a Thomson machine-gun at point-blank range. He kept more enemy infantry engaged, using some abandoned Tommy gun magazines from a ditch, until they withdrew in disarray.
Additional information:. Private Ernest A. Smith, known as Smokey, was educated at Herbert Spencer Elementary School and the Trapp Technical High School. He attended the VC dedication at Westminster Abbey on 14th May 2003 with other living VC recipients.
Additional information
Private Ernest A. Smith, known as Smokey, was educated at Herbert Spencer Elementary School and the Trapp Technical High School. He attended the VC dedication at Westminster Abbey on 14th May 2003 with other living VC recipients.
Resident in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada .
Attended VC dedication at Westminster Abbey on 14th May 2003
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