Alexander George Edwin Smith MC

Rank:

Captain

Unit at enlistment:

20th Battalion

Force:

C.E.F.

Volunteered or conscripted:

Volunteered

Survived the war:

Yes

Wounded:

Yes

Cemetery:

St. Paul's Anglican Cemetery, Tuscarora Township, Six Nations, Ontario

Awards or decorations:

Military Cross, Ordre de l'Etoile Noire (Poland)

Birth country:

Canada

Birth county:

Brant

Birth city:

Six Nations, Tuscarora Township, Ontario

Address at enlistment:

Six Nations, Ohsweken, Sixty-Nine Corners P.O., Ontario

Next of kin address:

Six Nations, Ohsweken, Sixty-Nine Corners P.O., Ontario

Trade or calling:

Contractor

Religious denominations:

Church of England

Marital status:

Married

Age at enlistment:

Gallantry medals:

Yes

Image gallery:

Letters and documents

London Gazette: 29824
Date: November 14, 1916
Honour or Award: Military Cross
Authority: R.O. 803. Byng, October 6, 1916
Name: Alexander George Edwin Smith (Lieutenant)
Unit: 20th Battalion

Details: For conspicuous gallantry in action. He proceeded with a party of bombers and captured an enemy trench and fifty prisoners, displaying the greatest courage throughout. He was twice buried by shells, but stuck to his post.

BX November 11, 1916

Military Cross For Officer of Six Nations – Capt. A.G.E. Smith Rendered Distinguished Service on the Somme – After Somme Fighting Canadians Were 17,000 Strength – Saw the Brants at Bramshott

Captain Alexander George Edwin Smith of the Six Nations Reserve, who but a short time ago was home on furlough here, has been awarded the Military Cross for work in the field on the Somme while with the 20th Battalion. In a letter to his father he gives some very interesting information of the Canadian casualties in this fighting, which is reproduced herewith.

Capt. Smith was in hospital when his mother died, January 12, 1916, and it was after her death that he came back to Canada for a few weeks. Mabel, mentioned, is his wife. Donald Harvey, 7 years of age, is the captain’s eldest son; Harold Preston is 4 ½ years of age, his second son. He has another son, Alex George Edwin named after himself and two daughters.

Capt. Smith once stated that he did not mind, but rather liked fighting for King and country, notwithstanding his family responsibilities but the part he hated was the idea of doing the fighting for those who had no family ties and were just as able to fight for themselves as he was.

October 22, 1916
London

Dear Father,

I have had the misfortune of not receiving any letters from Canada since early in September, only one from Mabel, which I could not read, receiving it as I did, in the midst of a furious battle. My sergeant who handed me it, was killed shortly afterwards. I’m in hopes of being able to recover it if my macintosh arrives from France.

I had one month’s leave granted me, and I’ve had 20 days of it and have been already warned for another medical board. Wednesday, October 25 which means the cutting off of my leave of about one week, which also means, I suppose, back to France for me. The colonel wants me back again as soon as possible, and yesterday I received a letter from Major Rorke saying that I was wanted back again as soon as possible. So I suppose I’ll have to go, though I could stand much more rest. I wish I could get back to Canada on some job. Today I saw an officer who used to be one of our sergts., who said that he had an offer last week of going back to Canada to Join Col. Earchman’s battalion. This offer was from headquarters.

About two weeks ago I was down to Bramshott and saw the 125th Battalion (The Brants) and it seemed like home to me, seeing old Brantford faces. Col. Cutcliffe and Major Cockshutt (W.F.’s son) wished to be remembered to you. I went down there chiefly to look Charlie up, as I had heard that they had arrived in England, which was not true, and as yet not arrived.

The Canadian troops at the front are over 17,000 under strength, but 15,000 are leaving tomorrow to reinforce them. It’s only two weeks ago since they were reinforced, so the Canadian casualties have been big, but the enemy’s is two or three times greater and we certainly did well at the Somme. Our division is now at Loos. I understand it’s very quiet there. I certainly get lonely here on leave and I long to see you and my family. How human and true, that old song, “Home Sweet Home,” is. “Be it ever so humble there’s no place like home.”

The 20th get their share of decorations down at the Somme. One D.S.O., four Military Crosses, one D.C.M., and 14 Military Medals, that’s going some, eh? And we never get things for nothing in the 20th. Outsides say that we deserve it all and more, but we are satisfied.

You may tell Mabel that I was awarded the Military Cross for bravery and gallantry on the field of the greatest battle the world has ever known. Don’t forget to tell Donnie and Harold what God had enabled me, their papa, to go through and do. Never have I so wished dear old mother was alive, so she could have enjoyed the thought, that put to the test, I, her son, proved my metal and no coward. Father, I am glad for you.

Please write me often, as I’m so lonely here. Give my love to all at home. Bear yet a little longer. God in His great mercy will bring us together again in due time.

Your loving son,
George

BX October 10, 1916

Brantford Men Suffered Much in Somme Fight – Held Trench for Five Days Without a Murmur, But had to be Reinforced – Captain Alexander George Edwin Smith of 20th Battalion Tells of Capture of German Fortified Point and Praises Men from Brant County.

An interesting letter has been received by Mrs. John W. Hirst of this city from her brother, Capt. A.G.E. Smith, who is in the Officers Hospital, Anstie Grange, the Holmwood, Surrey. He writes of the gallantry of the Canadians in the big “push in the Somme” as follows:

September 25, 1916

I’m sorry I’ve been so long in writing to you, but I certainly have been very busy, even before we left Ypres, and have been on the jump ever since, up to the time I was knocked out on Sept. 15. This date will always be the one big event in my lifetime. The push was the biggest one attempted since the war, and the Canadians certainly did some tall fighting. One officer, two scouts and 23 members and myself captured a German strong point where they out numbered us three or four to one, capturing over 60 prisoners, including three wounded. The rest were killed. We also captured three machine guns, three trench mortars, many rifles, ammunition and other war materials, also a very large store of emergency rations etc. The boys were glorious and will go any place.

We lost quite heavily that night, the night before, and the night before. Still the boys kept cheerful and eager to fight. You people at home can’t realize what perfect hell a barrage of artillery shells is like and machine gun bullets coming like hail. When you get through this you still stand another chance of getting killed by hand-to-hand fighting with the Huns, some of them great big chaps with big fat neck bulging out right up to their heads. One big chap like the one I just described came at me like a furious enraged bull, blowing fire through his nostrils. He thought he’d eat me up after I had just settled with one of his comrades. But Mr. Bull Hun had another thing coming, as I can move “some” when I’m cornered. However this chap will never again rush any one as if he were going to eat him up.

I haven’t seen the casualty list but I am sure some of the Brantford boys met their doom that day. Poor old lads, how glad they would be when I saw any of them. Although they weren’t actually in the push ahead (excepting one company which went with the 20th Battalion and occupied the German front line and stayed there while we went ahead), they suffered very heavy losses as they (the 19th Battalion) went in the trenches Sunday night, the 10th instant, staying the whole time till the night I was taken out, the 15th. Those chaps had to sit there and take the terrific German artillery fire night and day. Not occasional shots, but one continual boom all the time, “and not a murmur.” By Thursday afternoon one of our companies from the 20th had to reinforce them; their losses were so heavy. Oh but the people at home should be proud of these lads. Some they may never see again, but they should know that these noble lads gave their lives freely, all for Canada, England and the Empire.

The world never knew there were such men as the Canadians – men in the true sense of the word.

I know of some men that on finding that a certain thing had to be down in furthering our cause, some great risk taken (some even knew that they could never get back alive), still they volunteered for the task, and went forth with a light heart and a smile upon their lips, accomplishing their errand. But they gave up their young lives. The whole world, let alone our noble Empire ought to be proud of such heroes, proud that they breathed the same air as these “noble companions of liberty.”

Brantford and Brant County have shown that amongst such as these are their seed. I wish I could show some of these pictures to some of the slackers and if they couldn’t see their duty as men it would be because they have no such sense, and unfortunately are not endowed with the true gifts of a man, and are only animals in man’s form. I have every reason to believe that I will survive this war, as God is ever near me and protects my every stay. He is truly with us. Trust in Him and all will be well. Give my love to the boys.

BX February 28, 1916

Indian Fighter on Leave From Ypres Trenches – Captain Alexander George Edwin Smith of “Suicide Section” of 20th Battalion Has Returned – Injured

Near Ypres – Was Given Official Welcome Home on Saturday – Expects to Return to Grenadiers on May 1st Confident and satisfied at having done his bit for the Empire and hoping to return again to do even more, Captain A.G.E. Smith, son of Chief A.G. Smith of the Six Nations Reserve, returned to Brantford on Saturday afternoon for two months leave of absence from the front.

Captain Smith, who left here a lieutenant in the 37th Regiment and went overseas with the 20th Battalion of the Second Contingent, was injured in the fighting which took place in and about Ypres, though by now he has practically recovered from his injuries and is, to all appearances, as stalwart a soldier as any who have yet donned the khaki. Upon his neck Captain Smith bears the only trace of his wound in the form of a scar of which he may be proud.

The news of Captain Smith’s return was not learned in the city until close to 3 o’clock, when word was received by the Indian office here, and hurried arrangements were made for the reception of the returning hero. Bulletins announcing his return were posted by the newspapers and a number of the city’s prominent men assembled quickly. It was announced that Captain Smith was to arrive via G.T.R. at 3.50, but the deputation waited in vain at the Market Street station for the captain to descend from the train. It was then decided that he must be coming by the 4.19 T.H. and B. train and the party hastened to the Eagle Place station. Here, as the returning hero emerged from the train, he was greeted by his family, his father Chief A.G. Smith, his brother, Captain C.D. Smith of the 114th Battalion and others including his six year old son, clad in khaki and bearing a flag. “The youngster didn’t try to stop me from going,” said Captain A.G.E. Smith. “He wanted to come with me to fight for the Belgians.” The city’s delegates also welcomed the returning hero heartily and the entire party then proceeded to the Indian office in the new government building, where Captain Smith was formally welcomed to the city.

Ald. John S. Dowling, acting mayor extended a hearty welcome to Captain Smith, expressing the appreciation of what he and his red brothers had done for the Empire. Mr. E. Sweet, representing the Soldiers’ Aid Commission, dwelt on the fast friendship which existed between white men and Indian, fighting side by side in the trenches.

Captain Smith was then called upon to reply, which he did very modestly, stating that he could not express his thanks as he should like to. Though the city of Brantford was not actually his home he was proud of it as though it were and always spoke of it as his home town. He told of the soldier’s life in the trenches, and of how much the work of such organizations as the Red Cross and the Soldiers’ Aid was appreciated he also made an appeal for more letters to the men at the front. In closing, Captain Smith expressed his deep joy in returning once more to the “dearest city in Canada.”

Thorough Work

Ald. J.H. Minshall said he had worked side by side with Captain Smith for many years, and they had always been firm friends. He was sure that Capt. Smith had done his work at the front as he had in the factory here, thoroughly and conscientiously.

Another Added to List

Ex-Mayor J.H. Spence spoke of the privilege which had been his of bidding farewell to some 1,800 soldiers who had left Brant County for the front, and welcoming back some 32 returned warriors, to which list he was indeed pleased to add the name of Capt. Smith. He extended a cordial invitation to the captain to attend the recruiting meeting in the Brant theatre on Sunday night, assuring him a seat upon the platform. It would, he said, be an opportunity for the citizens of Brantford to extend a more general welcome to Capt. Smith.

Left a Gap

Mr. W.S. Brewster repeated Mr. Spence’s invitation suggesting that Capt. Smith might address the audience. The captain’s absence from the front, said Mr. Brewster, left a must fill. “There is Captain Charles Denton Smith, ready and willing,” interposed Ald. Dowling.

Six Nations Loyal

Mr. Lickers of the Mohawk Institute, called upon for a few words, assured the city’s representatives of the constant loyalty of the Six Nations, who would remain true to Britain now and in the future as they had done in the past. Over six percent of the population of Tuscarora Township was now in khaki, said Mr. Lickers, and no efforts were being spared to bring the number up to ten percent.

Family Welcomes

Chief A.G. Smith, father of Capt. Smith, was called upon for an address, but declined to speak owing to the depth of his emotion. Captain Charles Denton Smith of the 114th Battalion, brother of the returned captain, expressed his joy at welcoming his brother home and his hope of following in his footsteps. Captain Alexander George Edwin Smith and his family were then entrained to a luncheon by Mr. D. Hill of the Indian office.

Wounded Near Ypres

I was wounded near Ypres, said Captain Smith to The Expositor. “Not exactly wounded, perhaps, either. There were three or four of us doing outpost duty a short distance in front of our trenches when a shell burst in our midst. One piece struck me on the shoulder and hurled me back into the trench. I feel perfectly fit again now. I was given a month’s furlough, but had this extended to two months by the commander of the Canadian division at Shorncliffe, so I am due to return about May 1. I have had offers from three different regiments, but mean to return to my old position in the grenade section nicknamed the ‘Suicide section,’ of the 20th Battalion.”

BX September 28, 1916

Captain Alexander George Edwin Smith Suffering Slightly

A dispatch from London, Eng., dated September 27, states that Captain Alexander George Edwin Smith, son of Chief A.G.E. Smith of the Six Nations Indians reported wounded on Saturday last, is in the hospital in France suffering slightly from shell shock.

BX May 31, 1917

Captain Alexander George Edwin Smith Returned Home on Furlough

Captain A.G.E. Smith, 20th Canadian Battalion, C.E.F., returned home quietly on Thursday week last for two months’ furlough. He is looking well, although limping somewhat after the wound he received for the second time by shell. He expects to be in London the first week in June.

BC May 19, 1917

Indian Hero Seeks Ballot for Fellows – Captain A.G.E. Smith, of Local Reserve, in Ottawa on that Mission

(Ottawa Journal)

A most interesting visitor in the galleries of the Commons yesterday was Captain A.G.E. Smith, of the 20th Overseas Battalion. He is a Six Nations Indian and the son of A.G. Smith, the famous chief of that tribe.

Captain Smith has just been invalided home from the front. He has been twice wounded, on the Somme and the Ypres salient, and has been awarded the military cross for exceptional bravery and successful work in the command of his men. He is a splendid type of the Canadian Indian, tall and handsome, of exceedingly fine physique and highly educated. He is very modest about his personal achievements but is quite ready to talk about the valor of the men from the Six Nations Reserve. Letters from Col. McCordick show that the work of the Indians on the Somme and Ypres is worthy of the best traditions of the British Soldier and the Indian warriors themselves.

Captain Smith has two months leave of absence and if his wounds heal as is expected he will return to the front. His visit to Ottawa, however, is in the nature of a mission. “I am here,” he said to The Evening Journal, “to help in the cause of the freedom of my people.”

Two days ago an appeal was made in the Commons that the Indians who have done such splendid service for the cause of Empire at the front, and at Home should be given the franchise. Mr. John H. Fisher, M.P., for Brant, who represents the constituency in which the Six Nations is situated, made a special appeal for the extension of the suffrage to those Indians, and he was supported in this by members on both sides of the House. So far as can be learned the mission of Captain Smith will most probably have a successful result.

BX August 23, 1954

Distinguished Soldier – Capt. A.G.E. Smith, MC Passes Away at Buffalo

Capt. A.G.E. (George) Smith, MC, distinguished Indian war veteran and native of the Six Nations Reservation, died in the Veterans Administration Hospital, Buffalo, on Saturday.

He was born 75 years ago, a son of the late Chief A.G. Smith and resided on the reserve until 15 years ago when he moved to Buffalo.

In the First World War he served with the 20th Battalion, rose to the rank of captain and was awarded the Military Cross. Badly wounded he was invalided home and was training Polish troops at Niagara-on-the-Lake when President Paderewski of that country visited the camp. So impressed was the premier with the training being given, that he awarded the Star of Poland to Captain Smith and also presented him with a diamond studded cigarette case. He was the holder of several other decorations for military service.

Some of Captain Smith’s sons became noted either in the athletic field or on the stage and screen. Among these was Harry P. Smith, Hollywood, screen and television star, known as “Silver Heels.”

Surviving besides his widow, the former Mabel Doxtator, are eight sons, Harry; George Jr., Lomita, Calif.; Albert E. Donald H., Hugh L., Cecil W., Leslie G., and Allan A., all of Buffalo; two daughters, Mrs. Mary Renaud, Buffalo and Mrs. Oliver Smith, Sour Springs. One daughter, Mrs. Beulah Staats, predeceased him. There are also 29 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, two sisters, Mrs. Lily Smith, Sour Springs, and Mrs. Elaine Gibbons, Toronto; one brother, Charles D. Smith, R.6 Hagersville.

Captain Smith is resting at LeBue Funeral Home, Buffalo, until Tuesday morning, then at the Styres Funeral Home, Ohsweken, until Wednesday. A public funeral service will be held in St. Paul’s Church, Sour Springs, at 2 p.m. Wednesday. He will be buried with military honors in the Church cemetery.

BX August 26, 1954

Final Tribute to Indian Veteran

Final tribute was paid Capt. A.G.E. (George) Smith, M.C., and distinguished Indian war veteran and native of the Six Nations Reservation at his funeral services Wednesday afternoon. A service at the Styres’ Funeral Home, Ohsweken, was followed by a service in St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Sour Springs, conducted by Rev. J.H. Pogson, Capt. Smith had lived near this church years ago.

The large attendance included representatives of the “Mad Fourth” Battalion, the Hamilton Legion and Polish Veterans and the Six Nations Branch of the Canadian Legion.

Capt. Smith had served overseas with the 20th Battalion, being awarded the Military Cross. Invalided home, he was training Polish troops at Niagara-on-the-Lake, when President Paderewski of that country visited the camp. He was so impressed with the training being given that he awarded the Star of Poland to Capt. Smith.

Mr. Pogson made reference to the large attendance of veterans of the funeral service. A profusion of floral tributes further testified to the esteem held for Capt. Smith. Pallbearers were six sons, Leslie, Cecil, Albert, Donald, Allan and Hugh Smith. Interment was in the church cemetery. He was buried with military honors.