[1] In August 1914, Smellie applied to be a Red Cross nurse; she was told to report to Ottawa on 25 January 1915.

[3] During the First World War, she was posted at Cliveden, Lady Astor's estate, and became matron of the Moore Barracks Hospital at Shorncliffe Army Camp where thousands of Canadian soldiers were treated.

[1][4] After further post-war training in Boston, Smellie taught public health nursing for two years at McGill University, Montreal.

For instance, on 29 May 1963, the Winnipeg Free Press published a picture of Smellie along with her three other wartime nursing sisters at a supper party.

It reads: This celebrated Canadian army nurse and public health authority was born in Port Arthur, Ontario.

The first woman to attain the rank of Colonel in Canada's Armed Forces, Col. Smellie achieved many honours, including Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire and the Royal Red Cross Medal.