We are sorry to inform you of the recent death of Lewis Smith. Lewis fenced at Boroughmuir School and I remember watching with awe and inspiration as he took flawless lessons from Bert.
He achieved great sporting success. He was a member of the Scottish team at the Commonwealth Games, Edinburgh 1970, Scottish Foil Champion in 1972 and won a Bronze Team medal at the 1978 Commonwealth Championships in Glasgow.
1978 was a good year as he was also part of the Scottish Team who won the Quad, a historic achievement. At that point it was only Scotland’s 4th win since 1950.
His contribution to the success of Scottish Fencing continued for many years after he stopped competing through George Watson’s College Fencing Club in Edinburgh where he was the teacher in charge of fencing. He helped to develop many of today’s stalwarts of Scottish Fencing. The school club was hugely successful, dominating the Scottish Schools scene throughout the 80s and producing numerous Scottish and British champions. The combination of Lewis’s kindness, support and encouragement with Bert Bracewell’s boundless enthusiasm was ideal for the generations of young fencers that grew their love of the sport at the school.
When you talk to anyone in Scottish Fencing about Lewis Smith, their first reaction is always what a nice man and a great friend he was.
Words by Sheila Anderson and Sean Walton, Photos Julia Bracewell, and Modern British Fencing – Edmund Gray
George Watsons College Fencing Team
