Derrick Smart from Stratford supported the armed forces and Royal British Legion throughout his life
FAMILY and friends have paid tribute to a much-loved Stratford man, Derrick Smart, who recently passed away peacefully at the aged 84.
Derrick was born in 1938 and was the oldest of six children; Joan, John, Brian, Clive and Ann.
He attended St Gregory’s Primary School on Henley Street, followed by Hugh Clopton High School for Boys. He graduated, passing with credit and his Governors’ Certificate.
His first job was at Flowers Brewery where he worked in the transport office from 1954 until the brewery closed in 1967.
During that time he served two years with Badger Squadron, 2nd Royal Tank Regiment, from 1958 to 1960. He served in Germany and Homs, Libya.
A keen Buddy Holly fan, Derrick often told the story of how he was on guard duty in camp in Libya when he heard the news of the plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper. He was discharged to the Queen’s Own Warwickshire and Worcestershire Yeomanry.
After the brewery closed, Derrick worked at the Post Office where he stayed until his retirement. Many people probably know him from his post office days. However, he also served in the Queen’s Own Warwickshire and Worcestershire Yeomanry, Royal Corps of Signals for 32 years. He trained the new troops and attained the rank of Squadron Sergeant Major.
Along the way he met and married his wife Bridget and they had two children, Tracey and Andrew.
Derrick and Bridget were married for 58 years and devoted to each other and she supported him in everything he did.
Derrick was keenly interested in history. He loved researching and learning and wrote and published many articles on local history such as Flowers Brewery, the Stratford and Moreton Tramway, amongst other things.
After his retirement he took a part-time job at the Shakespeare Birthplace Archives where he learnt a lot about research, particularly using the internet. He frequently took on family history research projects for people, finding service records, identifying and giving the stories behind medals, even finding people who served and sacrificed their lives and having their names added to the local war memorials in honour of their sacrifice.
He worked closely with the archivist at King Edward VI school and was a regular at The Herald offices helping out with local history as well as military history.
His main area of expertise was the Anglo Zulu War of 1879. It was of interest as many local men served there in the 24th (2nd Warwickshire Regiment, including the famous battle of Rorke’s Drift, immortalized in the film ‘Zulu’. He wrote and published many articles and letters around this subject. He even travelled to South Africa to visit Ulundi, Isandlwana, Rorke’s Drift amongst other places and was a member of the Anglo Zulu War Historical Society.
Derrick used to volunteer in the Poppy Shop each year and, when he retired and was free from the obligations of short haircuts he used to stop cutting his hair sometime in the summer and would donate money he had not paid for haircuts to Combat Stress on 11th November – Remembrance Day.
His daughter – Tracey - recalls her father with great affection in her recent eulogy to him.
“Dad grew up on Justin’s avenue, during the war. It wasn’t an easy time but it was a time and a place where everyone pulled together, neighbours helped neighbours. Dad grew up with a very strong sense of community that stayed with him all his life. Like his father, Dad worked at Flowers Brewery, an old Stratford company and a large part of the town’s history.
One of the last things dad said to me was ‘Do you remember? When you were kids? You and Andrew? We always kissed goodnight?’ That wasn’t just as kids, we always did. So, here’s what I’d like you to do; remember dad. Lend someone a helping hand, go for a walk, kiss your kids, give your family a hug, think of him and, please, tell stories.”
