4
CTV.ca News Staff
Soldiers and citizens are paying their final respects to Ernest Alvia "Smoky" Smith -- Canada's last surviving recipient of the Victoria Cross.
Smith died at his home in Vancouver on Aug. 3 at the age of 91, but his bravery in battle earned him immortality and the respect of many Canadians.
"I'm here to pay my respects to a good man," said Australian army Sgt. Wayne Vickers, in Canada on a military exchange.
Vickers was among a long line of people who are filing past Smith's coffin in the foyer of the House of Commons today.
The parade of dignitaries, veterans, soldiers and citizens was led by Prime Minister Paul Martin and Gov. Gen. Adrienne Clarkson.
The Peace Tower bells tolled as his coffin was brought into Parliament Hill by members of the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada, his former regiment.
Flags on Canadian government buildings will fly at half-mast today, and books of condolences have been set up on Parliament Hill and at the Canadian War Museum.
Smith's remains will lie in state at his regiment on Friday. A full military funeral will be held the next day.
The B.C. native served with the Seaforth Highlanders during the Second World War, and earned recognition for his extraordinary heroism one night in Italy, in October 1944.
On a road beside the Savio River, in plain sight of the enemy, Smith fired at a German tank and disabled it. Ten German soldiers jumped off the tank and charged at him. Smith shot and killed four of them at point blank range and drove the others back.
Another tank opened fire and more enemy soldiers closed in on Smith. He held his position in a ditch, however, while protecting a fallen comrade with a Tommy gun. The enemy soldiers soon withdrew.
Smith dismissed his heroics as a pragmatic response to the situation: It was either kill or be killed.
"If you're not afraid, there's something wrong with you," he said. "But if you've got to, just do it."
Britain awards the Victoria Cross for bravery, valour, self-sacrifice or extreme devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy. Only 94 Canadians have won this recognition.
Smith was born in New Westminster, British Columbia, on May 3, 1914. He was known as a spirited man who enjoyed a good cigar and a well-aged scotch.
In addition to being awarded the Victoria Cross, Smith was also appointed a member of the Order of Canada in 1995.
Last fall, Italians and Canadians gathered at the walls of an 800-year-old castle in Cesena, Italy, to honour Smith for his actions. Officials unveiled a plaque commemorating his exploits.
Source: CTV.ca
