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Harry Leslie Smith: War veteran has died son says | Harry Leslie Smith: War veteran has died son says |
(35 minutes later) | |
A former World War Two pilot who grew up in poverty and described himself as the "world's oldest rebel" has died. | A former World War Two pilot who grew up in poverty and described himself as the "world's oldest rebel" has died. |
The son of RAF veteran and author Harry Leslie Smith tweeted to say his father had died while visiting him in Canada. | The son of RAF veteran and author Harry Leslie Smith tweeted to say his father had died while visiting him in Canada. |
The 95-year-old Barnsley-born campaigner and left-wing activist suffered suspected pneumonia while with his son John in Ontario. | The 95-year-old Barnsley-born campaigner and left-wing activist suffered suspected pneumonia while with his son John in Ontario. |
John said: "At 3.39 this morning, my dad Harry Leslie Smith died. I am an orphan." | |
Mr Smith rose to prominence after giving an impassioned speech about his life and the NHS at the Labour Party conference in 2014. | Mr Smith rose to prominence after giving an impassioned speech about his life and the NHS at the Labour Party conference in 2014. |
After a speech which moved some delegates to tears, he was greeted with a standing ovation and widely praised on social media after warning the UK must "be vigilant" about the NHS. | After a speech which moved some delegates to tears, he was greeted with a standing ovation and widely praised on social media after warning the UK must "be vigilant" about the NHS. |
The son of a miner, Mr Smith lived through the Great Depression and joined the RAF at 22, serving as a pilot in World War Two. | |
After retiring, he became a prominent campaigner against austerity measures with his own podcast and Twitter account with more than 230,000 followers. | |
Mr Smith developed pneumonia after a fall during the visit to his son. | |
He was taken to hospital for treatment last week, with John tweeting updates on his father's condition, prompting many messages of support. | |
Last night his son John tweeted his father was "less agitated, but tired". | |
After his father died, John tweeted: "It is 4.36 in the morning and I am wrapped in the blanket that covered him as he lay dying. And I know exactly what my steps are. I will follow in his footsteps. I will endeavour to finish his projects." | |
Tributes have been paid on social media with Labour's Tom Watson saying "the world is a far better place for his life". | |
Former Labour leader Ed Miliband tweeted: "Very sad to hear of the death of Harry Leslie Smith. | |
Labour MP Jonathan Ashworth said: "RIP Harry Leslie Smith will always remember this wonderful speech on the NHS you gave at Labour Conference." |