THE SON of a Barnsley-born war veteran who became a famous political campaigner in his 90s told the Chronicle he will continue his dad’s work following his death this week.
Harry Leslie Smith, 95, became famous after speaking and writing about growing up poor before the age of the NHS, and his fears for the NHS today. He was admitted into hospital last Tuesday in Canada, where he was staying with his son John, 54, battling a severe case of pneumonia.
He died in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Harry, who was born in Hoyland in 1923, launched a fund-raising campaign last year so he could travel to different refugee hot spots around the world to document his observations at different camps and use this research to form the basis of a new book, as he was keen to find a solution to the problem.
He was also a campaigner against austerity and spoke passionately at the Labour Party Conference in 2014 about his life and the NHS, campaigning for change.
His son John, 54, spoke to the Chronicle about how his father never forgot where he came from.
“He was never ashamed of his heritage,” he said. “He was proud of the fact that he was Barnsley born and bred and I think he lived so long because he had Barnsley dirt in his blood.
“We visited Barnsley last year and he has great compassion for the people of Barnsley. Barnsley people know how to work hard and this was instilled in Harry. He was never shy of working hard.
“He was 10-years-old when he began delivering coal. He is definitely the best of Barnsley and I don’t want people to forget that.”
Harry had written a book called Harry’s Last Stand, where he wrote about his perspective on NHS cutbacks, benefits policy, political corruption, food poverty and the cost of education.
He was keen to end the refugee crisis and was using social media to highlight the issues. John, who accompanied him and had not been apart from his dad in nine years, is keen to continue his work.
He said: “My dad was as tough as nails but still soft. I said to him whilst he was in hospital, who would have thought a boy born in 1923 in Barnsley would make this much of an impact on the world?
“When he was awake in hospital I was constantly telling him about the messages of support flooding in from around the world. I am determined to finish what he has started and I can assure you I will complete it and make him proud.
“It was very important to him that his Barnsley roots are not forgotten so I will always speak of his Yorkshire heritage. I think he would be mad if I didn’t.”
Harry also leaves two grandchildren. His body will be flown back to the UK and a funeral has yet to be arranged.
Barnsley Central MP Dan Jarvis paid tribute to the campaigner, telling the Chronicle: “Harry was a tireless campaigner against poverty and for the values of social justice, equality and fairness.
“His work was an inspiration to many, including me.
“Although he will be greatly missed, his work highlighting the injustices of poverty and inequality will live on.
“I know that everyone in Barnsley will want to pay their tributes to Harry.”
