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Pat Smith Gets Furlough To Join A's

St. Catharines native Pat Smith left senior lacrosse and enlisted in the army in the early years of WWII. He was trained and saw action with the 1st Special Service Battalion, a joint US-Canadian commando force that was made famous by the movie "The Devil's Brigade".

In the fall of 1945 he was back with the Canadian paratroopers, but had an urge to join his buddies with the Athletics on their trip to the Mann Cup in Vancouver.

Pat Smith, a genuine hero.

By CLAYTON BROWNE: The St.Catharines Standard

Tuesday October 2, 1945

There's a bit of human nature story in the case of Pat Smith. At his paratroop base in Brantford, he asked his O.C. for an extension of time on furlough. The natural quiz from the red cap was "what for", to which the westend native replied that he'd really love to go west with St. Catharines Athletics and play lacrosse, if the favour could be granted. The answer nearly knocked Smith off his feet. It was "certainly you can, my boy. I am an old lacrosse player myself and I hope you come back after your 35-day leave, ready for your discharge." After he got outside in the cool air and over the shock, Pat Smith learned his O.C. was none other than Ernie (Hank) Goudie, who was a defence stalwart with Athletics before the First World War. Only goes to prove that lacrosse hearts are in the right place.