21 Facts About Harry Leslie Smith

Harry Leslie Smith was an English writer and political commentator.

Harry Leslie Smith grew up in poverty in Yorkshire, served in the Royal Air Force in the Second World War, and emigrated to Canada in 1953.

Harry Leslie Smith wrote five books, about life in the Great Depression, the Second World War, and post-war austerity, and columns for The Guardian, New Statesman, The Daily Mirror, International Business Times, and the Morning Star.

Harry Leslie Smith appeared in public at the 2014 Labour Party conference in Manchester, and during the 2015 general election and the 2016 EU membership referendum.

Harry Leslie Smith was born on 25 February 1923, in Barnsley, Yorkshire, the son of Albert Harry Leslie Smith, an unemployed coal miner, and Lillian Dean.

Harry Leslie Smith joined the RAF in 1941 and spent several years in Hamburg, Germany, as part of the Allied occupation force.

Harry Leslie Smith made a career in the Oriental rug trade, as a buyer and salesman for Eaton's, specialising and importing new designs from the Middle East, the former Soviet bloc, and Afghanistan.

Harry Leslie Smith wrote regularly for The Guardian, commenting on politics and twentieth-century history.

Harry Leslie Smith attracted attention in November 2013, writing that he would not wear the remembrance poppy in future years because he felt the symbol was being used to promote support for present-day conflicts.

Harry Leslie Smith addressed the September 2014 Labour Party conference, speaking in support of the National Health Service and describing how common preventable diseases "snuffed out life like a cold breath on a warm candle flame" prior to the creation of the NHS.

Harry Leslie Smith spoke on BBC Radio and at the Bristol Politics Festival.

Harry Leslie Smith said that it was the global financial crisis of 2008 that inspired him to take his "last stand", writing and campaigning on income inequality, public services and what he saw as the diminishing prospects for young people.

In July 2015, Harry Leslie Smith endorsed Jeremy Corbyn's campaign in the Labour Party leadership election.

In October 2015, Harry Leslie Smith appeared on the BBC Three documentary We Want Our Country Back, where he sharply criticised the far-right anti-immigration political movement Britain First.

In 2016, Harry Leslie Smith endorsed Corbyn's re-election campaign at the Labour Party leadership election.

Harry Leslie Smith has the desire to change things in Britain.

In September 2017, Harry Leslie Smith released his fifth book Don't Let My Past Be Your Future.

Harry Leslie Smith was active in support of refugees during the European migrant crisis.

On 20 November 2018, Harry Leslie Smith was admitted to Belleville General Hospital in critical condition after contracting pneumonia.

Harry Leslie Smith's hospital stay prompted an international cyber-vigil on Twitter and an outpouring of support from well-wishers from around the world; including Leader of the Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn, of whom Smith was a major supporter.

Harry Leslie Smith died on the morning of 28 November 2018.