K75883 Rifleman Melvin Charles Smith was born on 22 January 1922 in McCreary, Manitoba, the son of Raymond Francis Smith and Ada Pearl Bonney. He had 10 siblings and half-siblings and left school after grade 7.

He farmed for a few years but worked as a mechanic’s helper when he enlisted at age 19 on 8 July 1941 in Trail, British Columbia. He trained in Vancouver and Vernon, British Columbia, and Calgary, Alberta.  In April 1942, Smith was posted on “Special Duty” to the 1st Battalion of the Canadian Scottish Regiment.

On 12 May 1942, he arrived in the United Kingdom and after further training and duties, was posted to The Queen’s Own Rifles in Northwest Europe on 10 November 1944.  Smith was wounded twice – once in February and again in April.

Rifleman Smith was killed in action at age 23 on 4 May 1945. He is buried in the Holten Canadian War Cemetery, grave reference VII. F. 9.

Smith and Rifleman George Fryday, were the last two QOR soldiers killed in action during the Second World War.