W Bro Frederick Smith PPGPurs

Fred was born in Brentford, West London on 4 January 1931 and his father died when he was only 11 years old.

With his family struggling financially he was allowed to leave school aged 13 years and 11 months and went to work as Joiner's Improver, where he stayed until 1948 before joining the Merchant Navy. This was a happy time of his life that saw him working on ships that travelled all around the world.

When National Service came around he found himself in the Royal Marines, where he took to the physical and disciplined style of life. This persuaded him, on his demob, to seek a similar style of work; leading him to join the Middlesex Fire Brigade in 1953.

In 1963, having seen the error of his ways, he transferred to a good Brigade, the then Hertfordshire Fire and Ambulance Brigade; swapping a flat above Wembley Fire Station for a new four bedroom house in Stevenage, where he was initially stationed. Fred served mainly at Stevenage and Hertford, where he rose through the ranks to Station Officer until his retirement in 1986.

Fred was also a fitness fanatic and represented the Brigade at football, squash and athletics. In fact, he also represented the Brigade aged 70; completing the 100 metres in 11.4 seconds!

To be with Fred during his service days was like being in a whirlwind – everything done at the double! Some say he broke every rule in the book – I wouldn’t go that far but I would say he bent every rule in the book!

On retirement from the Brigade in 1986, Fred started working at the Lister Hospital, Stevenage as the Fire and Health and Safety Officer, which he continued until his second retirement in 2003.

Fred joined Masonry (this Lodge) in 1988 and, although he never went into the Chair, he received Provincial Rank in 2004 in recognition of his work as both Almoner and Assistant Secretary for the Lodge.

Fred was a regular attendee at Lodge of Instruction; bringing with him his humour and his friends 'Algernon', 'Marmaduke' and 'Calvin Greene'.

Fred married Pauline in 1988 and they had a son; Anthony. Recently, they moved into a new home at Hertford Heath. Shortly before his death, during one of my visits, he confided in me that he was pleased with his lot and had had a marvellous life. He said he had many loves in life; sport, his classic Rolls Royce, his membership of the Veteran Vehicle Club, his Royal Marines Club, Masonry and he added with a smile that he was active and had enjoyed all of these. He went on to say he had made good friends, seen the world, served his country and the community he lived in and had set Pauline up in her dream home. “Mick,” he said, “I am happy to go now.”

And so he did, on 21 January 2018, aged 87.

Fred lived life to the full – a real live wire, energetic, a good friend to all, good company and a good Mason. A man who will be sorely missed by all who knew him.