Mr. Dennis Smith ~ 17th January 2014

[Fraser Darrah]

Mr. Dennis Smith ~ 17th January 2014

I am sorry to have to tell you that Dad died earlier this month, on the 17th. This was a real shock to us all, as Dad had not been poorly at all; the coroner tell us it was an aortic aneurysm. She said this could have happened at any time, any place, and that is would have been virtually instant. He was at home at the time; his friends found him on the Friday morning, on the bedroom floor.

For me, the saddest thing is that last 6 months had been the best for Dad since we lost Mum. He was preparing to move to a retirement apartment about 10 km from our house - for the first time he was looking forward, not back. Very sad.

We are saying goodbye to Dad on Feb 11th, and the local Merchant Navy Association are providing us with a red ensign to dress the coffin. Dad would have been very pleased with this, as he still remembered his time with Blue Star with fondness and clarity; he had many happy memories.

Martin Smith

Dennis was 2nd Electrician on the “Brisbane Star” for some time with Bert Cowie or Les Johnson( or perhaps even both)and left Blue Star in mid 1960 for life ashore.
Dennis hailed from near Treharris in South Wales, whilst with Blue Star he met Pat a Bristol girl , they married and settled in Bristol for the rest of their lives.