Moray World War Two veteran Donald Smith dies aged 100
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MORAY World War Two veteran Donald Smith has died at the age of 100.
Mr Smith, who celebrated his 100th birthday on October 3, died on Sunday, March 14.
Donald, of Macrae Court in Forres, leaves behind wife Helen, who he married on July 27, 1957, their three children, William, Margaret and Crawford, two grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
His funeral procession will take place in Forres on Thursday, March 25, at 11.45am.
The hearse, which is set to be proceeded by former Queen's Own Highlanders sergeant major Albert Duffus, Forres Pipe Band's acting pipe major Johnathan Scott and piper Emma Lawrence, will leave from Andrew Smith's Funeral Directors.
Some members of the Regimental Association are set to line the street to the Victoria Hotel to give Donald as fitting a send-off as possible.
Locals are invited along to commemorate Donald, but are reminded to maintain social distancing.
Born in Glasgow in 1920, Donald joined the army aged 18 and trained at Fort George.
He was part of the 51st Highland Division ordered to fight in France to help complete the evacuation from Dunkirk in 1940. He was captured by German troops during the battle at St Valery and wasn't released until 1945.
After meeting wife Helen, Donald moved north to Lossiemouth for work, originally as an engineer before working as a handyman for Macrae and Dick. He retired in 1985.
After a break-in at their Lossie home, Donald and Helen moved to Macrae Court in Forres eight years ago, where they spent their remaining time together.
Moray's Lord Lieutenant Seymour Monro got to know Donald during the last years of his long life, and described him as a "much-respected" and "lovely" man.
He said: "Donald was a wonderful old soldier and a lovely man to talk to. He is a much-respected and proud Seaforth Highlander.
"We celebrated his 100th birthday and the 80th anniversary of St Valery last year and he was in great form.
"We will do our best to pay respects and honour him on Thursday. It will be a nice touch to have two members of Forres Pipe Band, who got to know him well, in front of the hearse."
Albert Duffus, who served as a sergeant major in the Queen's Own Highlanders from 1966 to 1994, echoed those thoughts.
He said: "Everybody was so proud of what Donald did. We have so much respect for him.
"If you asked him about his stories he would tell you, but Donald never blew his own trumpet.
"He was a pure gentleman and a typical Seaforth Highlander."
After the send-off from Forres, Donald's hearse will make its way through to Inverness – where he will be received by more pipers.
