The Second World War V.C. group of eleven miniature dress medals attributed to Sergeant E. A. “Smokey” Smith, The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada, Victoria Cross; 1939-45 Star; Italy Star; Defence Medal 1939-45; Canadian Voluntary Service Medal 1939-45, with overseas clasp; War Medal 1939-45; Coronation 1953; Canadian Centennial Medal; Jubilee 1977; 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal; Canadian Forces Decoration, together with a set of court-mounted full-size ribands, as worn by Smith prior to 1995, one or two quite severely polished, otherwise very fine and better (Lot) £400-500

Sold with a letter of provenance, which states that the above described miniature dress medals were gifted to the signatory by “Smokey” Smith in 1996, when a decision was made to acquire him a new set of miniatures on him being awarded the Order of Canada; the full-size ribands were gifted to the same source in the previous year; together with two original letters from Smith regarding his miniatures and a copy of the programme for his recent Memorial Service.

Ernest Alvia “Smokey” Smith (1914-2005) was awarded the V.C. for single-handedly defeating a German counter-attack on the Savio River bridgehead, Italy on 21 October 1944. His subsequent Honours and Awards included the Order of Canada (C.M.), Order of British Columbia (O.B.C.) and the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal. Smith, who was the last surviving Canadian V.C., died earlier this year.