"I'll give you something to smile about" barked an irate drill sergeant at Albert Marshall. And so 'Smiler' he became to all.
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"I'll give you something to smile about" barked an irate drill sergeant at Albert Marshall. And so 'Smiler' he became to all. | |
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His mother had died when he was four, but he was riding a horse by five, and at 17 lied about his age to join the Essex Yeomanry as a horseman in the First World War. His first battle was in 1915 at Loos in northern France. Later, when buried to his waist in thick mud behind enemy lines, he attracted a search party by singing his favourite hymn. Wounded, he returned to England but volunteered again, to join the Machine Gun Corps in the front line in 1918. After further service in Ireland, he was demobbed in 1921 and married Florence, his childhood sweetheart. They had five children of whom John, now 72, is the sole survivor. Smiler leaves 12 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren and 4 great, great grandchildren. | |
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After the war, he worked as a groom, chauffeur and handyman. He moved to Murreys Court in 1940 where he worked for Mr and Mrs Maples and later for their daughter May Cree, who still lives there. Smiler was still working in the greenhouse, aged 100. One born and bred Ashteadian saw him as the last gentleman's gentleman. He would turn up in well-polished shoes, and often spats, to events. At 85 he rode his beloved Star, then 35, to win their class in competition, and he also drove a small carriage at Windsor Great Park. Long after he retired he would judge horse shows in Surrey. |
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He continued singing almost to the end.
When 103, Rotary took him and several ladies of slightly more tender age to see the Christmas lights in Dorking and enjoy a drink (or two) at the Kings Arms.
Smiler sang a string of WW1 songs to the delight of his companions and astonishment of the young pub manager.
It was not easy to get them to go home. 2,000 people gave him a standing ovation at the Millennium Service in Rochester Cathedral when he sang a WW1 song.
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Davinia Vanstone, May Cree's granddaughter, considered him her grandfather and describes how he, aged 90,
kitted himself out in full hunting dress to arrive on board her horse at her wedding in St Giles.
Her eldest daughter, Jess, recalls Smiler teaching her to play his old hunting horn - he 100 and she aged only five.
Later in life, he was seen at most national memorial services and celebrations. May took him to the Queen Mother's 100th birthday celebrations. He was to travel in the People's Bus, (the same age as him) but May had no pass, so he told her to sit below and keep her head down. With her head up she enjoyed a wonderful occasion, she says. People from all over the world and from local schools would visit him at his home in Murreys Court on Agates Lane. A lady from Ohio said on the Internet that meeting him had been the highlight of her trip to the UK. Many others have been uplifted by their contact with him, a truly remarkable but private man, who found himself thrust into the public limelight. |
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| What a man, what a life. | ||
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 Go to last article - Festival Diary
 See also Books by Authors and Famous people with Ashtead Connections - Albert 'Smiler' Marshall
 See also Ashtead Activity for more details on the Royal British Legion and other groups
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