Last Cdn. Victoria Cross winner dies

[yvr girl]

Stephen Thorne
Canadian Press

August 3, 2005

Hordes of German troops couldn't take him, but time finally did.

Ernest Alva (Smoky) Smith, Canada's last winner of the Victoria Cross, has died at his home in Vancouver. He was 91.

Born in New Westminster, B.C., on May 3, 1914, Smith was a joyful man with an impish smile who savoured a good cigar, a well-aged scotch and the attentions of ladies the world over.

Far from a natural-born diplomat, however, it was his fierce fighting ability that vaulted Smith, nicknamed Smoky in school because of his running ability, into the company of royalty, presidents and prime ministers.

Last fall, Italians and Canadians gathered beneath the walls of an 800-year-old castle in Cesena, Italy, to honour Smith for unleashing a few minutes of fury that saved untold lives and changed his own forever.

In a warm ceremony filled with tales, tears and tributes, officials unveiled a plaque commemorating that night of Oct. 21-22, 1944.

His actions that rainy night, when he singlehandedly fought off German tanks and dozens of troops on a road beside the Savio River, were hailed as an inspiration to all his countrymen for time immemorial.

more http://www.canada.com/national/story.html?id=0a551387-e48e-4666-8307-fdbfd1e9973d

[Maple]

1. And may he truly be

the last.

[AlwaysQuestion]

2. What? No interest

in Scotty--a Canadian hero of WWII vintage.

You were quite the man, Scotty--and of a character to whom no Bushco could ever measure up. RIP

[Swede]

3. RIP Smoky.

I hope your having a few with your mates.

[yvr girl]

4. Smokey to lie in state in Ottawa