Renay Marie Groves
THEIR LONG TERM RELATIONSHIP
(Sgt E.W. “Smokey” Smith, VC and MCpl Harold “Buddy” Dickson)
A Friend accompanied you
On your path of life:
And told you about war,
With its strife.
As you stood by him,
Just at his side,
You always glowed,
In awe, with pride.
Never thinking that,
This day would come to pass.
But, 3 August,
It did come alas.
When did the news come,
To you my friend?
And was there someone with you,
With a shoulder to lend?
Just know Smokey,
Loved you from the depth of his heart.
He has my Friend,
from the very start.
Now he is guiding you
Though your sorrow and pain,
Till at Heaven’s gates,
You both meet again.
©Copyright August 8, 2005 by Renay Marie Groves
Author’s Note: Written for MCpl Harold Dickson (Buddy) in honour of “Smokey” the last Canadian VC winner, who passed away on August 3, 2005
Ernest Alvia “Smokey” Smith, VC, CM, CD
The Victoria Cross Veteran of the Second World WarErnest Alvia ‘Smokey’ Smith, VC, CD, was born in New Westminster, B.C. in 1914 and educated in elementary and technical schools there. He left his work with a contracting firm to enlist in the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada in March 1940, joining the regiment overseas a few months later. He was a private when he won the Victoria Cross at the Savio River in Italy on Oct. 21-22, 1944.
The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada were the spearhead of the attack across the river, which torrential rain had caused to rise six feet in five hours, making it impossible to get tanks and anti-tank guns across to support the rifle companies.
The right forward company was suddenly counter-attacked by three Panzer tanks, supported by self-propelled guns and some 30 infantry. Private Smith led his PIAT (projector, infantry, anti-tank) group of two men across an open field and left one man on the weapon. Crossing the road, Private Smith obtained another PIAT. An enemy tank attacked and wounded the man on the first PIAT. Smith fired and put the tank out of action. German infantry jumped from the tank and attacked him but Smith drove them back with his Tommy gun. Obtaining more Tommy magazines which had been abandoned in a ditch, Private Smith steadfastly held his position, and later gave aid to his wounded comrade.
“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,” reads the citation in part.
‘Smokey’ Smith left the army for a short time after the war, but rejoined and served until August 1964, when he was released with the rank of sergeant. He lived in Vancouver.