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Francis W.Smith, as Frank always liked to appear in the programme, died peacefully in the middle of December in his 90th year. He was already an experienced actor when he joined The Questors in 1941, to give a long series of distinguished performances for the next 20 years. He was supreme in Chekhov and it seems appropriate therefore that his last performance was a memorable Chebutykin in the 1960 production of Three Sisters, still fresh in many members’ minds. However, his contribution to the life of The Questors was far from being confined to a list of outstanding imaginative performances. He served as Treasurer, Secretary and Chairman and when he was finally compelled to resign from the Committee due to ill health in 1957 after 16 years of exceptionally devoted and selfless service, he was appointed an honorary life member of the Club, only the third such appointment to have been made. He retired to the West Country and a few years later had to undergo the amputation of a leg, borne with great fortitude and cheerfulness.
ALFRED EMMET (February 1986)
TRANSCRIPTION OF A LETTER FROM FRANK SMITH ON THE OCCASION OF
THE FIRST 'TIN HUTTERS' REUNION ON 22 SEPTEMBER 1979
FRANCIS W SMITH AT THE QUESTORS
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