Gordon Smith was born in Dryden in 1926 and was raised in Wabigoon. Gordon's parents, Francis Theodore Smith and Emma Jane Smith had eight children, five of whom were enlisted with the Canadian armed forces during the war.
Gordon's older brother, Charles Lavern Smith was also killed. Lavern Smith was driving a Brengun carrier (along with George Wright and Art Johnson, both from Wabigoon) when their vehicle suffered a direct hit from an aritllery gun. George Write and Art Johnson both survived the incident.
It must be noted that the mother of these boys, Emma Jane Smith, learned of the death of her sons Gordon and Lavern over a very short period of time, probably within a week's time.
In addition, Gordon's sister Maudie (Smith) Lundmark and Gordon's brother Victor also served with Canadian Forces during the War.
Maudie (Smith) Lundmark, Gordon's sister, describes Gordon as happy go lucky and as someone who liked to have a lot of fun.
Gordon first tried to enlist with the Royal Canadian Navy but was turned down because he was only sixteen years of age. Gordon was not in the least bit discouraged. Within just a few days, Gordon found himself enlisted with the Canadian army and was transferred to a training camp in Winnipeg. When the recruiting sergeant was inspecting the soldiers for transfer overseas, he looked carefully at Gordon, rubbed his hands over Gordon's jaw, and realizing that this young man had never shaved, told Gordon, "you are not going anywhere".
Gordon finally succeeded in joining with the Armored Car Regiment on September 1, 1942. It is of interest to follow Gordon's training during the succeeding months. In October 1942, Gordon transferred to the Paratroopers and went to Portage La Prairie for training. A month later, Gordon found himself attached to a special services force (an elite commando unit) and trained in Fort Benning, Georgia USA. He continued his training in Montana, Virginia and Vermont. (please see note at end of this page concerning Gordon's unit)
While enlisted with the Special Services forces, he trained with soldiers from many different countries. Though training in the United States, Gordon was paid by the Canadian government. Gordon was teased by the other soldiers, because Canadian troops were the least paid in comparison to the other soldiers.
Gordon first saw action as a parachutist in Africa. He participated in the battles at Kiska and Attu.
In December 1943, Gordon was parachuted into Rome.
It is of interest to note that when Gordon was parachuted into Rome, the main fighting between
the Allies and Axis powers was occurring 100 miles to the south of Rome.
In particular, Canadian forces were in a very fierce battle with the Germans at Ortona. Rome was not liberated until June 1944.
The fact that Gordon Smith was parachuted into Rome six months before the liberation of that city,
underpins the view that the nature of his mission required highly skilled and well trained soldiers.
Under the leadership of American General Robert Fredrick, and with the full knowledge of Churchill and Eisenhower, it was decided to create a multi-national force that would engage the enemy behind the front lines. This force would comprise of a small number of highly trained and fanatically loyal troops that would deliver lightning attacks to enemy stongholds and force German troop concentrations in a wasteful manner to the rear of the front lines.
This Special Services force became known as the Devils Brigade and became the ancestor force of todays Green Berets.
Attacking only at night, and with their faces blackened, this force saw combat over a two year period, from 1942-1944, and captured thousands of prisoners. This elite force earned five U.S. campaign stars and eight Canadian battle honours, and never failed a mission.
In 1968, a Hollywood movie, The Devils Brigade released by United Artists, and starring William Holden, was made to show the public the Forces tremendous battle record. Mrs. Emma Jane Smith, the mother of Gordon Smith, was informed of the movie in a personal letter by the publicity director of United Artists Corporation. Click here to read that letter