Colonel Arthur Britton Smith CM OOnt MC CD KC (1920-2023)

Arthur Britton Smith was born in Kingston, Ontario on May 13, 1920, to Cyril Middleton Smith and Edna Madeline Smith (née Spooner), both originally from Manitoba. He grew up in Kingston with his three sisters, attending Victoria Public School and Kingston Collegiate and Vocational Institute.

Military Service

Smith’s military career began in 1935 when, at age 15, he joined the 32nd (Kingston) Field Battery as a part-time reservist. In 1938, he enrolled at the Royal Military College of Canada and, upon graduating in 1940, was commissioned as a lieutenant in the Royal Canadian Artillery. That same year, he deployed to the UK with the 8th Field Regiment, RCA, later transferring to the 4th Field Regiment and being promoted to captain in 1942.

In July 1944, shortly after D-Day, Smith landed in Normandy as a Forward Observation Officer (FOO) with the Fusiliers Mont-Royal. On July 20, during intense fighting near Verrières, Smith narrowly survived a grenade explosion and a burst of submachine gun fire—his life saved by the plastic body armour he was wearing. That day and the next, he repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire to direct artillery support and helped repel multiple counterattacks. When the position was overrun, he managed to withdraw under fire, evading capture. For his leadership and gallantry, he was awarded the Military Cross.

Just days later, on July 25, while advancing near Verriéres with the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry, his carrier hit a mine. His leg was shattered, and a bullet lodged behind his ear during the evacuation. Smith was repatriated in November 1944 and eventually discharged due to his injuries.

His military honours include the Military Cross, the 1939–1945 Star, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Bar, War Medal 1939–1945, and the French Légion d’honneur (2014). Post-war, he joined the Princess of Wales’ Own Regiment (PWOR) as a reservist, later serving as its Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel and Honorary Colonel across several decades.

Legal and Business Career

After the war, Smith trained as a lawyer, articling and studying at Osgoode Hall. He was called to the Ontario Bar in 1948 and practiced law in Kingston for 50 years.

In 1954, he founded Homestead Land Holdings Limited, initially a hobby, which grew into one of Canada’s largest residential rental companies. Homestead owns and manages over 27,000 units across Ontario and Alberta.

Writing and Historical Interests

Smith was also a published historical writer, with works on military and naval history, particularly relating to HMS Ontario, lost in 1780.

Community Service and Philanthropy

A deeply committed philanthropist, Smith’s charitable giving was extraordinary. His awards include the Order of Ontario (2018) and the Order of Canada (2019), the latter recognizing both his business acumen and his transformative philanthropy.

His foundation, personal giving, and Homestead supported hundreds of initiatives. Major gifts include totaling over $30 million were made to organizations such as Queen’s University, University Hospitals Kingston, RMCC, St Lawrence College and The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery.

His civic involvement included service as an Alderman on Kingston City Council (1949–55), Chair of the United Way campaign (1967), and President of the Royal Military College Club (1983–84).

Personal Life

In 1944, Smith married his fiancée, Edith “Sally” Carruthers. They raised three children: Sheila, Britton, and Alexander. The couple remained together for 68 years until Sally’s passing in 2012.

Smith’s hobbies ranged from boating, hunting, and fishing to raising Arabian horses and Aberdeen cattle. He remained intellectually active well into his later years and was admired for his sharp mind and generous spirit.

Smith turned 100 in May 2020 and passed away on October 28, 2023, at the age of 103.