Frank Reid Smith

Police Constable 468, Toronto Police Force | Corporal, 2nd Battalion (Eastern Ontario Regiment) CEF

Francis “Frank” Reid Smith, was born on June 30th 1885, at Alford, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Smith served in 6th Battalion, Gordon Highlanders of the British Army, prior to migrating to Canada as a single young man. In September 1912, Smith joined the Toronto Police Force as Police Constable No. 468.

On August 3rd 1915, Constable Smith enlisted with Toronto’s 83rd (Queen’s Own Rifles) Battalion. By May 1916, Smith was an Acting Sergeant in charge of a platoon. At his own request Smith reverted to the rank of Private in order to serve in France, where he landed in on August 28th 1916, as a reinforcement in the 2nd Battalion (Eastern Ontario Regiment) CEF. Smith moved to the front lines, joining his unit on September 20th 1916. Ten days later, Smith was promoted to Corporal.

On Thursday, October 5th, Smith’s unit moved to support positions leading ahead of the Battle of Ancre Heights. On Saturday, October 7th 1916, Smith was killed in action while staged in the brigade’s support trenches the day prior to the main attack.

Constable Francis Reid Smith lies buried at 2nd Canadian Cemetery, Sunken Road, in Contalmaison, France.

  • Research Sources:
  • H. Grasett – Annual Report of the Chief Constable of the City of Toronto for the Year 1914, Page 57. Toronto: The Carswell Co Ltd City Printers, 1915.
  • Library and Archives Canada. Attestation Papers of No. 171415 Francis R. Smith.
  • Library and Archives Canada. War Diaries of the First World War – 2nd Canadian Infantry Battalion, 1916/01/01 – 1916/12/31 .
  • Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Casualty Details for No. 171415 Francis R. Smith.
  • The Toronto Telegram (1916, October). “Corporal Frank Smith”. (Photo 2)
  • The Toronto Daily Star (1916, November 16th), Page 6. “Sergt F. Smith Killed”.
  • The Toronto Daily Star (1917, March 12th), Page 3. “Pte F.R. Smith’s Will”.
  • The Globe [Toronto] (1921, January 22nd), Page 21. “Inscribe Names on Honor Roll – Toronto Police Laud Memory of Heroic Dead and Living Erect Memorial Tablet” .
  • Canadian Virtual War Memorial. No. 171415 Francis R. Smith. (Photo 1)