2005 - 9 August - CGG No 2 Company (7 Div) under command of CSgt David Burr provides Honour Guard for the State Funeral of Canada's last living Victoria Cross Recipient - Private Ernest Alvia 'Smokey' Smith, VC, CM, OBC, CD

Name/Title

Scope and Content

2005 - 9 August - CGG No 2 Company (7 Div) under command of CSgt David Burr provides Honour Guard for the State Funeral of Canada's last living Victoria Cross Recipient - Private Ernest Alvia 'Smokey' Smith, VC, CM, OBC, CD Ernest Alvia “Smokey” Smith, VC, OC, OBC, soldier, businessman (born 3 May 1914 in New Westminster, BC; died 3 August 2005 in Vancouver). Smith was one of 16 Canadian recipients of the Victoria Cross (VC) during the Second World War and the only private soldier to earn the award. Before his death in 2005, he was the last living Canadian recipient of the VC. Private Ernest Alvia Smokey Smith, VC, CM, OBC, CD died at his home in Vancouver on August 3, 2005, at the age of 91. His body was placed in the foyer of the House of Commons to lie in state on August 9, 2005, making him only the ninth person to be accorded this honour; government flags flew at half-mast on that day. He lay in repose at Vancouver's Seaforth Armoury on August 12, with a full military funeral in Vancouver on August 13. His ashes were scattered at sea in the Gulf of Georgia.

Created By

Lieutenant Michael Hayes-Rivet, retired.

Create Date

January 14, 2026

Updated By