E. A. (Smokey) Smith was born in New Westminster in 1914 and served with the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada during the Second World War. Smith was awarded the Victoria Cross for exceptional bravery shown in Italy at the Savio River in 1944. After the war he returned to New Westminster. At the outbreak of the Korean War he re-enlisted in the permanent force, from which he retired in 1964. After returning home from the Korean War, he established the Smith Travel Agency in Vancouver. In 1995, Smith was appointed to the Order of Canada.