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Conn Smythe MC BASc was born at Toronto Ontario, son of A.E.S. Smythe and Mary (Constantine) Smythe. He was educated at Jarvis Collegiate Institute, Upper Canada College, Toronto and the University of Toronto, where he received his BASc in 1920. In WW1, Smythe joined the 25th Battery of the Canadian Field Artillery (CFA), as Gunner in 1915. He received his commission rank with the 40th Battery CFA in 1915. In 1916 he was overseas and in April 1917, Lieutenant Smythe was awarded the Military Cross (MC) for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. His citation reads, in part, as follows: He organized some men and led them forward with great dash, thereby dispersing an enemy party at a critical time. He himself accounted for 3 of the enemy with his revolver.Later in 1917 he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and while with the RFC, Smythe was "Mentioned in Despatches". Later, in 1917 he was wounded and shot down and became a "Prisoner of War" until WW1 ended in 1918.After WW1, in 1920, Smythe started in the general contracting business as a partner in Angotti & Smythe. In 1921 he formed his own company with himself as president. He started in the hockey business in 1926 by organizing the New York Rangers and in 1928 along with associates bought the Toronto Maple Leaf Hockey Club. He next formed Maple Leaf Gardens Ltd. and built Maple Leaf Gardens, one of the finest arenas in North America at the time. He also owned and operated a horse racing stable. In September 1941, he was appointed Officer Commanding the 30th Battery, Toronto Regiment of the Royal Canadian Artillery with the rank of Major. He proceeded overseas and was on active service in England and France. He was severely wounded and returned to Canada in 1945. In March 1920, he married Irene Eleanor Sands, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. T. R. Sands of Toronto. They had 4 children; two sons and two daughters. |
