Desmond Smith (Canadian general)
Encyclopedia
James Desmond Blaise Smith CBE
, DSO
, CD
(2 October 1911 – 11 October 1991) was a Canadian
general active in World War II
in both the Italy and Netherlands campaigns. Smith was born in Ottawa
, Ontario
on 2 October 1911. He studied at the Royal Military College
and graduated in 1933. On graduation he was promoted to lieutenant
and attached to the Royal Canadian Dragoons. He served in the Canadian infantry, and was called overseas in 1940 as a staff captain with the 1st Canadian Division. He became a Brigadier General in 1943 and commanded armoured brigades in both the Italian and Dutch campaigns. He came back to Canada in 1945, and took over command of the Royal Military College. During the 1950s, he commanded Canadian forces in Europe as part of NATO. He retired in 1962, to go work in the private sector, eventually moving to England. He retired in 1986, and died in London
a few days after his 80th birthday in 1991.
. Smith earned his promotion from captain to major due to breaking the rules. He was ordered to get winter gear for troops that would be deployed inNorway
. Finding nothing suitable, he just ordered proper gear from a company named Lilywhite's. Smith was summoned to appear before Major-General McNaughton
because of the unauthorized expense; but instead of having to pay personally for the bill, he received a promotion. He ended his wartime career as Brigadier-General of the 1st Canadian Infantry Brigade.
the Royal Military College. He commanded the college till 1947. In the period 1958-1962, Smith was Adjutant-General of the Canadian Army in Ottawa. In the mean time he held, amongst others, the position as chairman of the Canadian Joint Staff with the NATO. He was forced to leave the Army on Prime Minister
John Diefenbaker
's instance, due to an extra marital affair that became public knowledge.
.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
, DSO
Distinguished Service Order
The Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
, CD
Canadian Forces Decoration
The Canadian Forces Decoration is a Canadian award bestowed upon members of the Canadian Forces who have completed twelve years of military service, with certain conditions. By convention, it is also given to the Governor General of Canada upon his or her appointment as viceroy, which includes the...
(2 October 1911 – 11 October 1991) was a Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
general active in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
in both the Italy and Netherlands campaigns. Smith was born in Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
on 2 October 1911. He studied at the Royal Military College
Royal Military College of Canada
The Royal Military College of Canada, RMC, or RMCC , is the military academy of the Canadian Forces, and is a degree-granting university. RMC was established in 1876. RMC is the only federal institution in Canada with degree granting powers...
and graduated in 1933. On graduation he was promoted to lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
and attached to the Royal Canadian Dragoons. He served in the Canadian infantry, and was called overseas in 1940 as a staff captain with the 1st Canadian Division. He became a Brigadier General in 1943 and commanded armoured brigades in both the Italian and Dutch campaigns. He came back to Canada in 1945, and took over command of the Royal Military College. During the 1950s, he commanded Canadian forces in Europe as part of NATO. He retired in 1962, to go work in the private sector, eventually moving to England. He retired in 1986, and died in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
a few days after his 80th birthday in 1991.
World War II
Captain Smith's WWII overseas service began when the Royal Canadian Dragoons were sent to England, as part of the 1st Canadian Infantry Division1st Canadian Infantry Division
The 1st Canadian Infantry Division was a formation mobilized on 1 September 1939 for service in the Second World War. The division was also reactivated twice during the Cold War....
. Smith earned his promotion from captain to major due to breaking the rules. He was ordered to get winter gear for troops that would be deployed inNorway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
. Finding nothing suitable, he just ordered proper gear from a company named Lilywhite's. Smith was summoned to appear before Major-General McNaughton
Andrew McNaughton
General Andrew George Latta McNaughton, CH, CB, CMG, DSO, CD, PC was a Canadian army officer, politician and diplomat.- Early life :...
because of the unauthorized expense; but instead of having to pay personally for the bill, he received a promotion. He ended his wartime career as Brigadier-General of the 1st Canadian Infantry Brigade.
Post-war military career
Between 1945 and his military retirement in 1962, Smith held several positions in Canada and the United Kingdom. His first peace time job was at his alma materAlma mater
Alma mater , pronounced ), was used in ancient Rome as a title for various mother goddesses, especially Ceres or Cybele, and in Christianity for the Virgin Mary.-General term:...
the Royal Military College. He commanded the college till 1947. In the period 1958-1962, Smith was Adjutant-General of the Canadian Army in Ottawa. In the mean time he held, amongst others, the position as chairman of the Canadian Joint Staff with the NATO. He was forced to leave the Army on Prime Minister
Prime minister
A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
John Diefenbaker
John Diefenbaker
John George Diefenbaker, PC, CH, QC was the 13th Prime Minister of Canada, serving from June 21, 1957, to April 22, 1963...
's instance, due to an extra marital affair that became public knowledge.
Post-war civil career
Smith moved to England in 1962. After several minor jobs he joined Pillar Holdings in 1964. He was responsible for the enigineering branch of that company: Pillar Engineering Limited. In 1986 he reteried from his civil job, only to be appointed as the first Canadian member of the Commonwealth War Graves CommissionCommonwealth War Graves Commission
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission is an intergovernmental organisation of six independent member states whose principal function is to mark, record and maintain the graves, and places of commemoration, of Commonwealth of Nations military service members who died in the two World Wars...
.
Personal
Smith was married twice, first Miriam Blackburn, until her death in 1969, and then to Belle Shenkman, a member of the Order of Canada. He had two sons from his first marriage, James and Stephen George Smith. He died in a hospital in London, England on 11 October 1991. There was first a memorial in London, and then a state funeral in Canada's capital city, Ottawa.Senior military positions held
| From | To | Unit | Role | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12-09-1940 | 25-11-1940 | 1 Canadian Infantry Division | General Staff Officer 2 | Major |
| 18-05-1941 | 12-02-1942 | 2 Canadian Armoured Brigade | Brigade Major | Major |
| 13-02-1942 | 28-06-1942 | 1 Armoured Car Regiment | Commanding Officer | Lieutenant-Colonel |
| 29-06-1942 | 05-05-1943 | 5 Canadian Armoured Division | General Staff Officer 1 | Lieutenant-Colonel |
| 06-05-1943 | 22-02-1944 | 4 Canadian Armoured Brigade | Officer Commanding | Brigadier |
| 23-02-1944 | 06-06-1944 | 5 Canadian Armoured Brigade | Officer Commanding | Brigadier |
| 07-06-1944 | 11-11-1944 | I Canadian Corps | Brigadier General Staff | Brigadier |
| 12-11-1944 | 05-12-1944 | 1 Canadian Infantry Division | Acting General Officer Commanding | Brigadier |
| 09-12-1944 | 06-05-1945 | 1 Canadian Infantry Brigade | Officer Commanding | Brigadier |
| 07-06-1945 | 15-08-1945 | ? | Comandant of a brigade training for the war with Japan | Brigadier |
| 1945 | 1946 | Royal Military College | Commandant | Brigadier |
| 1946 | ? | Government | Military Secretary to the Cabinet Defence Committee | Brigadier |
| ? | 1951 | Canadian Army | Quartermaster general | Major General |
| 1951 | August 1954 | Canadian Joint Staff in London | chairman of the Canadian Joint Staff in London, and Canadian National Military Representative to SHAPE | Major General |
| August 1954 | 1958 | National Defence College | Commandant | Major General |
| 1958 | 1962 | Canadian Army Headquarter | Adjutant-general of the Canadian Army | Major General |
| 30-11-1961 | 1962 | The Canadian Guards | Colonel, The Canadian Guards | Major General |