Smith Ancestry – Remembering the Battle of Vimy Ridge

When Great Britain declared war on Germany in August 1914, its Dominion of Canada automatically entered the fight, inspiring thousands to enlist. Eventually 619,000 Canadian troops joined British and French forces in Europe and quickly earned a reputation for toughness. In April 1915, the Second Battle of Ypres, a massive chlorine gas attack broke the line, but Canadian troops held the Germans until help arrived. Two years into the war at the Battle of the Somme, the 1st Newfoundland Regiment gave their all: after the first day, only 68 of some 800 soldiers survived.

Succeeding where British and French soldiers had failed, the Canadian Corps also captured the strategic point of Vimy Ridge (see the 100th Anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge - Veterans Affairs Canada). Canadian women pitched in too, and more than 3,000 nurses volunteered. The courage of the Canadian soldiers did not go unnoticed, and ultimately 70 received the Victoria Cross for “most conspicuous bravery in the presence of the enemy.”

The Smith Ancestry – England to United States to Canada (second stage) tells the story of how John Caleb Smith (1852-1940) married his second wife Emmeline Deborah Boutilier (1859-1940) in 1881. As their family tree shows, they had 8 children (6 boys and 2 girls). The records indicate that all 6 boys enlisted and served in World War 1 (see Footage - Canada at War).

John Caleb Smith and Emmeline Deborah Boutilier Family Tree

Ernest Milburn Smith, c.1916

Ernest Milburn Smith (our direct line ancestor) enlisted for service in the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force on December 21, 1915. His three older brothers followed. Horace Mazlin enlisted on March 25, 1916 and Norman Lindsay joined the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force on April 26, 1916. The WW1 US Draft Registration Card states that Isaac Caleb enlisted on September 12, 1918. 

Malcolm (Mack) Russell Smith, c.1916

Ernest’s younger brother, Malcolm Russell Smith (born in 1896) was the first of the Smith boys to enlist in the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force on November 29, 1915. Malcolm (known as Mack) was a member of the 10^th Machine Gun Company (Regimental Number 488787).

On August 9, 1917, Mack sent a hopeful letter to his older sister Gladys Bernice about the situation on the front lines in the trenches. Mack's letter states that he had recently seen his younger brother Weldon and that he was well (which proves that Weldon had also enlisted). His letter also says that Ernest (the lucky one) was recovering in a military hospital and made blighty, which means he would probably be sent back to England. He closes by sending his "love to all the children."

Malcolm Smith WW1 letter 1917 (click to enlarge)

On August 21, 1917, less than two weeks after writing that letter, Mack was killed in action in the battle at Vimy Ridge. At only 21 years old, he was buried at Villers Station Cemetery, France. Several online memorials honour his sacrifice, including: Canadian Virtual War Memorial, Canada at War and First World War - Books Of Remembrance.

Malcolm Russell Smith Headstone - 1917

LEST WE FORGET!