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Harry Leslie Smith: ‘It shouldn’t be considered odd that someone from my era is using Twitter. It was my generation that invented radar’ | Harry Leslie Smith: ‘It shouldn’t be considered odd that someone from my era is using Twitter. It was my generation that invented radar’ |
(about 4 hours later) | |
My father was a wonderful man, very sensitive, and I’ve tried to be like him. The Christmas after my sister Marion died of tuberculosis he took us to the seaside for the first time. I remember sitting on his shoulders, feeling a warm glow. That was the last time my family experienced Christmas when we felt happy. | My father was a wonderful man, very sensitive, and I’ve tried to be like him. The Christmas after my sister Marion died of tuberculosis he took us to the seaside for the first time. I remember sitting on his shoulders, feeling a warm glow. That was the last time my family experienced Christmas when we felt happy. |
When I was 14 years old I went to elocution lessons. I realised that my Yorkshire accent would not enable me to better myself in the world. Although my friends and siblings laughed at my efforts, it did benefit me greatly. | When I was 14 years old I went to elocution lessons. I realised that my Yorkshire accent would not enable me to better myself in the world. Although my friends and siblings laughed at my efforts, it did benefit me greatly. |
I’ve never forgotten austerity or the cruelty of the war against fascism. [In the second world war] I saw a horse drop dead in the street, and before it had become cold there were half a dozen people cutting it to pieces and storing the meat in a bag to take home, as they had nothing to eat. That is hunger. | |
I’m a socialist in the manner of Tom Joad from The Grapes of Wrath – fighting for the little guy. I was astounded at the applause I got after my speech at the Labour convention in Manchester. I believe it is my duty to tell the younger generation that our current politics isn’t right. I can use my voice to get people to realise that when I say that my past can be your future, I really mean it. | I’m a socialist in the manner of Tom Joad from The Grapes of Wrath – fighting for the little guy. I was astounded at the applause I got after my speech at the Labour convention in Manchester. I believe it is my duty to tell the younger generation that our current politics isn’t right. I can use my voice to get people to realise that when I say that my past can be your future, I really mean it. |
Military service taught me a lot of discipline that has carried me throughout my life. I get up in the morning and do my warm-up exercises from my tai chi and then I make my bed. I don’t know how many 91-year-olds do that. | Military service taught me a lot of discipline that has carried me throughout my life. I get up in the morning and do my warm-up exercises from my tai chi and then I make my bed. I don’t know how many 91-year-olds do that. |
My wife, Friede, saved my life and kept me as a caring individual. Her maiden name was Edelman, and she had to go to the Nazi government’s racial examiners to check if there was some Jewish blood in there. | My wife, Friede, saved my life and kept me as a caring individual. Her maiden name was Edelman, and she had to go to the Nazi government’s racial examiners to check if there was some Jewish blood in there. |
I was overwhelmed by the death of my wife. We were together for 52 years. I started travelling to get over it. I visited the apartment in Germany where Friede lived when we first met. I stood across the road looking at the doorway. I kept thinking the door might open and she’d step out again. | I was overwhelmed by the death of my wife. We were together for 52 years. I started travelling to get over it. I visited the apartment in Germany where Friede lived when we first met. I stood across the road looking at the doorway. I kept thinking the door might open and she’d step out again. |
My middle son, Peter, had schizophrenia. When I retired, his psychiatrist said he would be better off living with us in the country. Just before my wife died, Peter and his girlfriend got married. They had a good life for 10 years, when he died from this horrible disease [idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis which causes fatal scarring of the lungs]. It’s pitiful as a parent to watch your son lying in a hospital bed unable to speak and looking at you as if to say: “You rescued me before – why are you not doing it now?” | My middle son, Peter, had schizophrenia. When I retired, his psychiatrist said he would be better off living with us in the country. Just before my wife died, Peter and his girlfriend got married. They had a good life for 10 years, when he died from this horrible disease [idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis which causes fatal scarring of the lungs]. It’s pitiful as a parent to watch your son lying in a hospital bed unable to speak and looking at you as if to say: “You rescued me before – why are you not doing it now?” |
It shouldn’t be considered odd that someone from my era is using Twitter, because it was my generation that invented radar and rocket science. I’ve got about 20,000 followers. I do manage to knock out replies to most people. | It shouldn’t be considered odd that someone from my era is using Twitter, because it was my generation that invented radar and rocket science. I’ve got about 20,000 followers. I do manage to knock out replies to most people. |
I think Russell Brand should stick to comedy. To tell young people not to vote is crazy because we’ll get the same old gang in power. | I think Russell Brand should stick to comedy. To tell young people not to vote is crazy because we’ll get the same old gang in power. |
Old age is a lonely race towards death because one’s friends and spouse reach the finish line before you. It has been a brilliant ride, and I hope I have time for a few more laps around the track. | Old age is a lonely race towards death because one’s friends and spouse reach the finish line before you. It has been a brilliant ride, and I hope I have time for a few more laps around the track. |
Harry’s Last Stand is published by Icon Books at £12.99. To order a copy for £10.39, go to bookshop.theguardian.com. For more information, visit harryslaststand.com | Harry’s Last Stand is published by Icon Books at £12.99. To order a copy for £10.39, go to bookshop.theguardian.com. For more information, visit harryslaststand.com |
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