Smokey Smith Birthday
Vancouver, B.C.
2004

A number of CMRS founding members were in attendance of the birthday celebration for Victoria Cross holder Smokey Smith.

	Canada sent two contingents to the Imperial cause in South Africa.
	Under the command of LCol W.D.Otter the first contingent was drawn largely from the ranks of the Non-Permanent Active Militia.
	Four Victoria Crosses were awarded to the Canadians, three of these in a single engagement to the Royal Canadian Dragoons.
	LCol Otter's force was the first expedition of Canada's Citizen Soldiers in a foreign war.
	Approximately 277 Canadians died in the South Africa War: 89 men were killed in action, 135 died of disease, and the remainder died of accident or injury. 252 were wounded.