Venerable Gunners of the Second World War and Korea

The Royal Canadian Artillery Association wishes to recognize remaining members of The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery who served during the Second World War or Korea.

If you know of a Veteran that served the Guns during the Second World War or Korea, please ask them on our behalf if they would like their names recorded on this list. If they agree, please forward to the Secretary, secretary.rcaa.aarc@gmail.com a short biography with the following information: Veteran’s full name, rank on retirement from the Canadian Forces, birth city, units served in, information on their career after the war and two photos, one in uniform during the war and a recent photo. We would also request the following information (but will not post online): mailing address and birthdate.

Gunner Don Smoke

Don Smoke was born in Alderville First Nation in 1926. During the Second World War, at age 17, he joined the Royal Canadian Army, 15th Field Regiment and trained in Petawawa, Ont. He served in Belgium and the Netherlands and said it was an honour to serve in the liberation of Europe, Marsha said. After the war ended in Europe, Don signed up for active duty in the Pacific but Japan surrendered before he set sail. At his 100th birthday celebration organized by, Don was presented with a signed letter from Commander of the Canadian Army Lieutenant-General M.C. Wright and a Commander of the Canadian Army coin.

“You stand as a living link to a generation whose sacrifices shaped our nation and as a powerful representative of the proud tradition of Indigenous service to Canada, rendered despite considerable hardship and inequity at home,” Wright wrote in the letter