Smith, Derrick – Ex-sailor created the Black Army

Derrick Ivan Gregory Smith (1922-2018)

Derrick Ivan Gregory Smith, was born in Bourne, the son of a local businessman and councillor.

Communiting by train, he went to Stamford School, and in 1942, like his two brothers,  joined the Royal Navy.

He served on HMS Sussex and aircraft carrier Pretoria Castle, while on D-Day was a signaller on HMS Hawkins on Omaha and Nevada beaches.

For the latter, in May 2017 he was awarded The Légion d’Honneur, is the highest French order for military and civil merits. He dedicated it to his brothers.

He married physiotherapist Cynthia Bishop in 1951, who died in 2011.

Although he disliked rugby at school, on returning to civilian life he joined the Bourne club.

Then in 1947 he helped to set up Kesteven Rugby Club in his home town, before moving it to Grantham, and Woodnook where it still thrives. The club’s nickname is The Black Army.

He was captain in 1951 and chairman from 1964 to 1971.After he retired, he was club president for 22 years and the clubhouse extension was named after him.

In civilian life he was a grain merchant, working for Wherry of Bourne, Browns of Sleaford and Moneys in Grantham.

On retirement he became a volunteer for the National Trust at Belton House from 1988 and with Cynthia was a room assistant.