Canada, Commonwealth. The Miniature Victoria Cross Group Of Sergeant Ernest Alvia "Smokey" Smith, Vc, Cm, Obc, Cd

Miniature Group of Eleven: Victoria Cross (in bronze, measuring 17.5 mm (w) x 17.5 mm (h)); 1939-1945 Star (in bronze, measuring 16 mm (w) x 20 mm (h)); Italy Star (in bronze, measuring 16 mm (w) x 20 mm (h)); Defence Medal (in silver, measuring 18 mm in diameter); Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Overseas Clasp (in silver, measuring 18 mm in diameter); War Medal 1939-1945 (in silver, measuring 18 mm in diameter); Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal 1953 (in silver, measuring 18 mm in diameter); Canadian Centennial Medal 1867-1967 (in silver, measuring 17 mm in diameter); Queen Elizabeth II's Silver Jubilee Medal 1952-1977 (in silver, measuring 18 mm in diameter); 125th Anniversary of Confederation of Canada Medal 1867-1992 (in silver, measuring 17 mm in diameter); and Canadian Forces' Decoration, QEII (in silver gilt, measuring 18 mm (w) x 33 mm (h) mm in diameter). Court-mounted with swing bar pinback, the measurements of the awards approximate, modern ribbons, extremely fine. The group is accompanied by a white metal 60 mm (w) x 55 mm (h) Seaforth Highlanders of Canada Glengarry Badge, along with a 138 mm (w) x 213 (h) colour photograph of an elderly Smith wearing twelve miniature awards on his left breast (the aforementioned eleven awards, along with the Member of the Order of Canada, the fullsize Order of British Columbia around his neck), plus a 180 mm (w) x 213 (h) Letter from Smith (dated March 17, 1995, inscribed with the return address "5470 Heather Street Vancouver BC V5Z 3M2" and addressed to "Captain Brian Seward 36 - 788 Citadel Drive PORT COQUITLAM BC V3V 6G9", inscribed "Dear Brian: / Thank you for returning my medals so promptly. It is much appreciated as both my regular and miniatures are needed so much more in the many functions this 50th year of Liberation in Northern Europe. / The re-enforced pin on my medals make them feel completely secure now, plus the remounting and general "cleaning up" makes them look neater. With the addition of the last medal to my miniatures, they are now complete. / Thank you again for the fine job on my medals. / Sincerely, B.A. "Smokey" Smith, VC CD", with Smith's signature. The four items are under glass within a 555 mm (w) x 455 (h) wooden frame, with a gripper for wall hanging, along with a plastic sleeve taped in place to the paper covering on the reverse of the frame, the plastic sleeve housing Smith's Memorial Programme (entitled "Memorial Service / Sergeant (Retired) Ernest Alvia "Smokey" Smith, V.C., C.M., O.B.C., C.D. / August 13, 2005 / St. Andrew's - Wesley Church / Vancouver, British Columbia", in four-colour inks, incorporating 12 pages plus cover, measuring 150 mm (w) x 228 mm (h)), along with the actual stamped and postmarked 227 mm (w) x 104 mm (h) envelope that the letter came in, the envelope addressed to "Mr. Brian Seward, #102-11444 Strathaven Dr., North Vancouver V7H 2Z6.", with Smith's return address label inscribed "E A SMOKY SMITH 5470 Heather St Vancouver BC V5Z 3M2" affixed.

Footnote: Ernest Alvia "Smokey" Smith VC, CM, OBC, CD (May 3, 1914 - August 3, 2005) was a Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. He was the last living Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross. Ernest Alvia Smith was born in New Westminster, British Columbia, on May 3, 1914, the son of John Smith and Flora Jane Smith. He had two younger brothers, Bert and Jack, who would also go on to serve in the Canadian Army, along with two sisters, Pearl and Norma. He was educated British Columbia and came of age during the Great Depression and along with many others, struggled to find steady employment. He was 25 when he joined the Canadian Army on March 5, 1940, becoming part of the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada. In 1943, he first entered into combat. On July 10, 1943, he was part of the 1st Canadian Infantry Division landing in Sicily, remaining active throughout the Sicily and Italian campaign between July 1943 and February 1945. On the night of October 21-22, 1944 at the River Savio, in Northern Italy, Private Smith was in the spearhead of the attack which established a bridgehead over the river. With a PIAT anti-tank launcher he disabled a 44-ton Mark V Panther tank at a range of just 30 feet (10 metres), while protecting a wounded comrade, Private Jimmy Tennant (who had been shot in the shoulder. The two made their way to a church, and Smith placed Tennant in the care of medics. Tennant survived, and when he returned to Canada, Smith helped him find a job. They remained friends until Tennant's death. When asked to describe his heroism, Smith told Canadian Press that life is simple in wartime: kill or be killed. He was scared but he couldn't let his fear gain the best of him or he would die: "If you're not afraid, there's something wrong with you," he said. "You've got to do it. Don't worry about it. Do it."). Smith killed four panzergrenadiers and routed six others. When another tank was sent to take out his position, he used another PIAT to damage it enough to retreat. He then carried his wounded comrade, and joined a counter-attack to disperse the Germans still attacking his previous position. The squad destroyed three Panther Tanks, two self-propelled artillery pieces, a half-track, a scout car, and a few German soldiers. During his career, Smith was promoted to Corporal nine times, but subsequently demoted back to Private nine times prior to his actions at the River Savio. He later achieved the rank of Sergeant. He would be the only Canadian Private to receive the Victoria Cross during the war.

His citation for the Victoria Cross appeared in a special two page edition of the London Gazette 36849 of Tuesday, December 19, 1944, on Wednesday, December 20, 1944, page 5841: "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 objective 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 hopeless. Under heavy fire from the approaching enemy tanks, Private Smith, showing great initiative and inspiring leadership, led his P.I.A.T. Group of two men across an open field to a position from which the P.I.A.T. could best be employed. Leaving one man on the weapon, Private Smith crossed the road with a Private James Pennant and obtained another P.I.A.T. Almost immediately an enemy tank came down the road firing its machine-guns along the line of the ditches. Private Smith's comrade, Private Tennant was wounded. At a range thirty feet and having to expose himself to the full view of the enemy, Private Smith fired the P.I.A.T. 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 (Messerschmidt) and grenades. Without hesitation Private Smith moved out on 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 Private Tennant 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 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."