Funeral celebrates life of Scotland’s oldest man

Alf Smith of St Madoes died earlier this month aged 111 years and 128 days

The long and remarkable life of Scotland’s oldest man was celebrated with a service in Perth yesterday.

Alf Smith died earlier this month at the age of 111 years and 128 days.

He had jointly held the title of Britain’s oldest man with Bob Weighton, of Hampshire, who was also born on March 29 1908.

Mourners at Perth Crematorium were told how Mr Smith had relished every one of his birthdays.

The Rev Marc Bircham, who knew him for 20 years, told the congregation: “We all have our own personal memories – and you would need a lifetime to tell Alf’s story.

“Alf was my greatest encourager and I was blessed to know such a wonderful man.

“And boy, did he enjoy his birthdays – when folk would come and wish him many happy returns. It didn’t matter if you were a provost, a councillor, a moderator of the General Assembly or a child in primary one, you got a welcome and you left knowing you had spent time with someone special, someone who was unique.”

Mr Smith was born on March 29 1908, the fifth son of John Smith, a coal merchant, and Jessie Dow. Along with his five brothers – Bob, George, John, Alec and Jim – his early life was spent in Invergowrie.

He attended primary school there before going on to Harris Academy in Dundee. After leaving at the age of 14, he took up a position with a merchant gardener, delivering fruit and vegetables across Dundee in a horse-drawn cart.

In 1927 he used the Assisted Passage Scheme to emigrate to Canada, joining his brother Bob in an area of Saskatchewan called Govan.

But following the death of his father, Mr Smith returned to Scotland in 1932 to help his brother George run their business.

During the SecondWorldWar, he was in the Home Guard, and married Isobel when he was 29.

Mrs Smith died 16 years ago. The couple had a daughter, Irene, and a son, Allan, and began working Goukton Farm, Kinfauns, in 1945, which Mr Smith ran with his son until he retired at the age of 70. Mr Smith died on August 4 at his home in St Madoes, with his daughter by his side.

Mr Bircham regaled the mourners with tales of Mr Smith’s life, including one from the 13 years he spent working with the family business.

Mr Bircham said: “He was a bit of a boy racer, was our Alf – twice he was stopped for speeding, reaching the giddy speed of 23mph.

“This resulted in George receiving a letter asking if he really should employ such a reckless driver.

“Ironically, not long after that, he was stopped by the police at Invergowrie and the policeman asked him for a lift.

“Alf was driving at 20mph when the policeman commented ‘Can you not go a wee bit faster?’”

Pictures: Steve MacDougall. Mr Smith’s daughter Irene Noble at the funeral. Top right: The order of service showing Mr Smith and his wife Isobel. Above right: The Rev Marc Bircham, who knew Mr Smith for 20 years, paid tribute at the funeral service.

Alf Smith at home in St Madoes on the occasion of his 109th birthday.