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Samuel Smith (SH21), dearly loved by family and friends, died suddenly and unexpectedly on 7th June 2022 aged 19 of natural causes, writes his mother Laura Smith-Hewitt.
On 10th June 2023, Sam was fondly remembered at the House Regatta, at which a plaque was unveiled for him at the boat house and silence was kept as the boat named for him rowed past. The legacy of his short life has been an inspiration. Inscribed on the plaque at the boat house are some personal notes he wrote down in a Canford exercise book – typical of the way he lived his life:
• Stay curious
• Do what you love, and something for the greater good
• Take ownership of your actions
• Enjoy a sense of accomplishment
• Have fun, friendly and trusting relationships
Sam was definitely up for a challenge. At Canford he sang in the choir, participated in the junior musical and played the oboe. He was a marines NCO, taking part in the Ten Tors expedition and the Pringle trophy. Memorably he stepped in at short notice to make up the numbers for the Canford Rifles Cup team – and they surprised everyone including themselves by winning the trophy.
He gained five tough A levels at grade A and above, and designed and built a prototype space rocket launcher for his Extended Project Qualification. Last year he was doing what he loved at Imperial College, proud of his place on the sought after Design Engineering course in London. Posthumously he has been awarded a Certificate of Higher Education in Design Engineering. Rather than receiving birthday gifts he several times collected money for sponsoring polar bears, and he had planned to go with the Canford team to do charity work in Argentina before the trip was cancelled in the pandemic.
Taking ownership of our actions calls us to commit to what we are doing. When Sam decided to something, he committed fully, bringing others along with his enthusiasm. Rowing is a sport which requires deep commitment to ERGS, gym, early morning sessions, and showing up for competitions. Being there for the team when it’s cold and wet makes all the difference. And there was no doubt where Sam sat in the boat – his size 15 shoes were unmistakeable.
We have many happy memories of watching the Canford rowing teams on Saturday afternoons, until the pause caused by the pandemic. It is a comfort to know that in Sam’s last months, he was very happy to be back rowing and winning medals in the first VIII of the Imperial Medics team.
Finally, when we have risen to our challenges, and committed to taking action, we need to do so with compassion. It takes self-compassion to live in the moment, reflecting and enjoying a sense of accomplishment. Compassion, kindness in action, is key to building fun, friendly and trusting relationships.
Sam’s rowing mates agreed that Sam made a great difference to the team’s spirit by being there to cheer them up, driving them on with the ‘heroes spurt’ to get to the finish. He lit up any room with a big grin, baking pretzels and cookies for his flatmates. He told spooky stories to the younger boys in School House to get them to settle at bed time. Even if he was really busy, he would always have time for his friends. He loved his brother very much and appreciated playing games with him – organising some memorable birthday parties. It has been an honour to get to know some of his wonderful friends, including Gabe Wilkinson (SH21) who in the course of the past year gave three eulogies in Sam’s honour, including at Sam’s internment at his home in Munich.
Our wish for present and future Canford students is that they are inspired by his name to rise to their challenges, commit to their tasks and to have compassion for others. In doing so we hope that as well as winning boat races, they will also be winners in life.
