Bert Smith joined the Band of The 7th Hussars at Aldershot in March 1932, precisely on his 14th birthday, and accompanied the Regiment when it left for Egypt in September 1935.
Members of the Band were sent on various courses shortly after the outbreak of World War II, with the result that Bert found himself commanding a tank during the Western Desert and Burma campaigns.
Post-war, he was an exceptionally efficient soldier in every aspect of that much-abused word. He also looked the part, witness the fact that he was chosen as a model for the bronze statue of a tank commander on the 7th Hussars War Memorial.
A good sportsman, he was a stalwart in the Regimental football and hockey teams before, during and after the war. He eventually was promoted to WO Class 1 and was appointed RSM of the Warwickshire and Worcestershire Yeomanry.
It was from this appointment, that he retired from the Army.
He made a point of attending the Cavalry Memorial Parade, in spite of indifferent health in later years and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Nevertheless, we were shocked to hear of the sudden death in Corfu when on holiday, on 4 May 1982.
We extend our heartfelt sympathy to Lucy and his family.
