2768274 Sergeant Heber Rintoul Smith, 259th Bn, Canadian Rifles / Canadian Army Pay Corps

My maternal grandfather, Heber Rintoul Smith of Toronto, Ontario was conscripted in 1918 at the age of 35.  He was a member of the 259th Bn, Canadian Rifles, with the Canadian Siberian Expeditionary Force (CSEF).  H.R. Smith was the father of H. Bruce Smith and Dorothy Elizabeth (Smith) Buglass.

A short summary of the activities of the Canadian Siberian Expeditionary Force

 

As part of an Allied intervention force, Canada sent several contingents of troops to Russia in 1918 to support the government’s “White” forces against the revolutionary “Reds.”

Revolution and Civil War in Russia

By the end of 1917, Russian Tsar Nicholas II had been deposed by Bolshevik revolutionaries who then made a separate peace with Germany, plunging Russia into a bloody civil war. The “Reds,” led by Vladimir Lenin, fought to hold power against “White” forces representing the recently deposed Romanov dynasty and other conservative and nationalist forces.

Canadians against Bolshevism

In 1918, Tsarist Russia’s former allies sent troops into northern Russia, around Murmansk and Archangel to support the “Whites,” to guard supplies previously given on credit to the Tsarist government, and to assist in re-opening an eastern front against the Central Powers. The Canadian government agreed to send another 4,000 troops to assist British and other anti-Bolshevik troops in Siberia. Canada, like most Western countries, viewed Bolshevism as a long-term threat to their own governments but, in the short term, merely wanted Russia back in the war against Germany and Austria.

Short and Unsuccessful Involvement

Allied involvement in Siberia was short-lived and, ultimately, unsuccessful. In most areas, more numerous and highly motivated “Red” forces gradually gained the upper hand over the disorganized, badly led “Whites,” while war weary Western governments lost interest in the fighting and brought home their troops. The Siberian Expeditionary Force had returned to Canada by June 1919, having suffered 24 casualties.

http://www.warmuseum.ca/firstworldwar/history/battles-and-fighting/land-battles/siberian-expeditionary-force/

(Above) The Attestation Papers of H.R. Smith
This document was downloaded from the National Archives of Canada

The military career of Sergeant H.R. Smith

H.R. Smith was not in the infantry for very long.  During a platoon commander's interview his background in business finance was discovered.  As a result, he was transferred to the Canadian Army Pay Corps and promoted to the rank of Sergeant based on his civilian experience with bookkeeping in the family insurance business (Smith & Ridout Insurance, Toronto, ON).  He was still sent to Siberia.

My grandfather told me that they had heard that Siberia was like the wild west, and that personal safety was always a concern.  He said that someone could have you killed by one of the locals for the equivalent of 5 cents.  Prior to his leaving for Siberia, he purchased a Smith & Wesson .455 calibre New Century revolver from Eaton's department store.  It had a 6 ½ inch barrel and a lanyard swivel.  This was the same revolver that was issued to the RCMP in western Canada. (S & W had a .45 calibre model of the revolver that was used in the U.S.) Granddad Smith always wore the revolver openly, and he was never bothered by the locals.  The weapon has never been fired, and I still have it today.

During his time in Siberia he became acquainted with a major (one of the company commanders) who had a gambling problem.  Granddad gave him regular pay advances and as a result, the major reciprocated by having his car and driver at Granddad's disposal.  H.R. Smith would use the vehicle to get to shower area.  One of the advantages of working in the C.A.P.C. was that he was not deployed to the filed on operations.  As a result, he had regular showers and changes of long underwear!  The major's car was recognized by most soldiers and granddad used to get saluted while sitting in the back seat.  Always being respectful, he returned the salutes.

H.R. Smith enlisted in the army on September 30, 1918, and World War One ended on November 11, 1918.  H.R. Smith was demobilized on June 12, 1919.  In less that 9 months, he joined the army, was promoted from private to sergeant overnight, went to Siberia, returned to Canada, and was demobilized.  He had an interesting 256 day military career.

(Above) The Cap Badge of the 259th Bn.

An Upper Canada College "Old Boy"

H.R. Smith was a graduate of Upper Canada College.  In 1923, The War Book of Upper Canada College by A.H. Young was published.  This book chronicled the service of all of the UCC "Old Boys" that served In World War 1.

(Above) Page 274 of the War Book.  H.R. Smith is the the bottom row, wearing a parka.

(Above) Page 273 of the War Book.  A short biography of H.R. Smith is published in the top right hand column.

(Above) The Discharge Certificate of H.R. Smith (Front).

This document was printed on cloth paper.

(Above) The Discharge Certificate of H.R. Smith (Reverse)

On upper right corner of the reverse side of the discharge certificate in red ink it states "War Service Badge, Class A, No. 142604 Issued".

(Above) The War Service Badge of H.R. Smith

The obverse of the (lapel) badge is inscribed with the words "FOR SERVICE AT THE FRONT  CEF".  The reverse of the badge is inscribed with the words "PENALTY FOR MISUSE 500 DOLLARS OR SIX MONTHS IMPRISONMENT".  Also inscribed is the number 142604.

(Above) The service medals awarded to Sgt. H.R. Smith.

(Above) World War One medals had the service number, rank, initials, surname and campaign of the recipient engraved on the base of the medal.

(Above) Most Canadian service personnel that were overseas were with the Canadian Expeditionary Force.  H.R. Smith served with the Canadian Siberian Expeditionary Force, hence his medals are engraved with the letters C.S.E.F.