Page 76 - QDG Year of 2020

74 1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards
Piers Smart, as he was known in The Bays, was a wartime soldier and, later, became Director of The Shaftesbury Homes and Arethusa. He was a master of prose and wrote powerful and moving poetry, much influenced by John Betjeman, as well as nonsense verse. He retained the ability to quote Shakespeare, undimmed by age.
Piers died on 14th March 2020 aged 96.
He was educated at Bradfield College and
during the holidays he worked as a junior
Air Raid Warden in South-East London,
seeing service during the Battle of Britain.
From Sandhurst he was commissioned
into The Queen’s Bays, joining his regiment
in Algeria in 1943 – at a time of cessation of hostilities as victory in North Africa had been declared.
He served throughout the Italian Campaign of 1944 & 45 as, successively, recce troop leader and regimental signals officer. He was subsequently Mentioned-in-Des- patches in recognition of his command of the Recce Tp, the most prestigious appointment for a subaltern in the Regiment. His troop spearheaded the advance in close country and over difficult terrain particularly during the chaotic approach up to Coriano and beyond. He, ulti- mately, had an excellent view of the ground ahead from Montecieccio Ridge and witnessed what was an heroic and futile venture demanded by Higher Command. The two leading squadrons paid a high price in men and tanks after coming under heavy anti-tank gunfire. Later Piers was given the unenviable task of recovering the dead and organising the temporary burial on the San Martino in Venti Ridge. His troop continued to lead the advance during the Autumn 1944 battles after which he became Regimental Signals Officer.
After the war and in between various ERE postings he was Adjutant 1952-54 and commanded A Squadron
in 1958/59 before retiring from the Army. Whilst in Fallingbostel in the 50s he was the author of the “potted” Regimental history, revamped the “new look” journal and, with his wife, Jean, designed what was termed the “London” Bays tie in 1954. He organised two high profile and successful parades, the second of which was for the Colonel-in-Chief, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother in Tidworth in 1954. He was an early follower of the Wessex Hounds and played polo. Not particularly interested in sport he was a cross-country skier and a highly competent dinghy sailor.
After a brief experience in industry he worked for The Shaftesbury Homes and Arethusa as general secretary and then as director for 18 years. During this period he developed three dated units into nine purposeful, modern social work and adventure
training groups.
In retirement Piers had a number of charitable and
church commitments, and his wide range of interests included literature, theatre, militaria and history as well as religious and moral issues. However the writing of poetry transcended his life. His book, “Golden Apples”, is the outcome of a long life of experience and reflec- tion, revealing his politically conservative and deeply religious outlook. He was loyal to all, generous and kind by nature. He was strong on morals and bore no malice.
He married Jean in 1951. Not being eligible for a married quarter, being too young, they joined three other families, similarly placed - the Powells, Wilsons and Windsors – in a house in Walsrode which was known as The Main Earth. Jean died in 2010 and they had three children, one of whom, Louis is the distinguished author of many books, the most well-known being Captain Corelli’s Mandolin.
RWW
MAJOR de BERNIERE-SMART
Andrew Marsden, affectionately known as Tubman, died on 14th March 2020, aged 80. He was exceptionally gifted and brought a range of talents unusual for an officer in the Regiment – first-class brain, chess master, piano player, gastronome, games player, raconteur and a unique style of marching! He played Rugger, Cricket and Hockey for the Regiment.
Whilst still at Downside he became a Somerset
County Chess player and a member of the West
of England Orchestra. He gained a scholarship to
Oxford studying Classics and after graduation, he
was commissioned directly into 1st The Queen’s
Dragoon Guards in 1961 without attending Sand-
hurst, unusual in itself, and possibly explains his subsequent military idiosyncrasies. Turning up to 1st parade with an umbrella springs to mind. Andrew joined A Squadron serving as a troop leader for three years. He then spent another three in RHQ, firstly as RSO and training officer in Omagh and secondly, in 1969, as assistant adjutant on the operational tour in Aden. Whilst in Detmold and after a short period as 2i/c C Squadron he was posted to Headquarters 20 Armoured Brigade as GSO 3 (Int).
Andrew re-joined the Regiment, now in Catterick, becoming C Squadron Leader before attending the staff college in 1972. From there he moved to the Defence Secretariat, MOD, as GSO 2. From 1975-76 he commanded B Squadron in Hohne and on an operational tour in Ireland – based in Middletown. His final posting was to the School of Infantry as a DS on the Combat Team Commanders Course. He retired from the Army in 1978.
Andrew launched his civilian career with Tricen- trol, an oil company, which diversified into running a caravan business and garden centre. His many responsibilities included travelling worldwide,
mainly New Zealand, Australia and Canada getting business for the company. He then joined AFRI Freight, a firm supplying arms to Zimbabwe. Finally he became secretary to the Royal Mid Surrey Golf Club – another sport at which he excelled.
To Olive, Victoria and Edward we extend our heartfelt sympathy.
RWW
Major A T Marsden