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David Walter Smith MBE (13 Jun 1932 - 15 Aug 2022)

Funeral Director

Lee Fletcher Funeral Services Ltd

Funeral Service

Location: Portchester Crematorium Upper Cornaway Lane Hampshire PO16 8NE
Date: 7th Sep 2022
Time: 10.45am

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In loving memory of David Walter Smith who sadly passed away on 15th August 2022.

His funeral service will take place at Portchester Crematorium on Wednesday 7th September 2022 at 10.45 am.
Family flowers only by request, as donations to The Salvation Army would be preferred.
Donations can be made online using the JustGiving link on this page, or by cheque payable to The Salvation Army and sent c/o Lee Fletcher Funeral Services, 95 High Street, Cosham, Portsmouth PO6 3AZ

The service will be webcast for those unable to attend and can be watched using this link

https://watch.obitus.com
Username mugi3995
Password 342922

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David was born in June 1932, the 3rd child in a Salvationist Family residing in Plymouth, Devon and attending Plymouth Exeter Hall Corps of the Salvation Army.

David started his musical career at an early age, taking up a brass instrument and joining the Young peoples Band of the S.A. from age 7

David continued his playing career until , aged 85, when he decided to retire from active playing.

David was married at age 20, to June, and they remained together for over 70 years, celebrating their platinum wedding in July 2022, just weeks before his sad passing.

David left school aged 15, and completed a 5 year apprenticeship in Electrical Engineering at Plymouth Devonport dockyard, exiting that as a fully qualified Electrical Fitter

He followed this apprenticeship with his period of National service, serving with the RAF

At the end of National service David was employed by the civil service, first in Plymouth Devonport, followed by a spells in Birmingham, Liverpool before finally settling in Portsmouth in 1965, aged 33

He continued his employment with the Civil Service, through a variety of roles, and retired from work at the age of 60, in 1992. His final role within the Civil service was within the MOD as part of the Captain Weapons Trial team

The year before he retired, 1991, David was awarded the MBE and received his medal personally from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at Bucking Palace, accompanied on that occasion by his wife June and his two sons. The London Gazette entry from 14.6.1991 read "David Walter Smith Higher Professional and Technology Officer Ministry of Defence"

Brass banding was a big part of David's life. He played with a variety of different Salvation Army bands for 33 years from age 7 until he moved to an 'outside' band in 1972, aged 40, predominantly so that he could 'go contesting', something that membership of a S.A. band (at that time) precluded.

David's first 'outside' band (after the S.A.) was Southsea Silver, later to become known as Southsea Band, a band he stayed with for, I think (correct me if you know better) about 10 years. During this time he competed in many band contests with the band as well as a multitude of solo (euphonium) contests, for which he won several trophies.

David joined the Nelson Royal Naval Volunteer Band, based in Portsmouth Dockyard in about 1982 and was their top euphonium player for most of 10 years, before deciding to 'hang up his Euphonium' and retire from playing. At this point he was 85 years old.