Eric Smith, who has died aged 88, lived all his life in Leeds 11. A former teacher of French, member of Beeston Labour Party and the Leeds Gay Community Group, his major passion was transport, especially trams, trolleybuses and buses. Readers may remember his articles in South Leeds Life, where he gave detailed and knowledgeable descriptions of the old routes. The tramway through Middleton Woods was a particular favourite.
Eric was born into a railway family. His parents spent their early married life living on Beeston Hill at an approved distance from Leeds Railway Station. This was so that the Knocker Upper could call at the house on his rounds to wake the railway staff in time for work. Once cheap alarm clocks became widely available, the rule lapsed and the Smiths moved to Dalton Avenue, where Eric lived for much of his life. He recalled how during World War II, his father built an Anderson Shelter in the back garden so the family could take refuge from bombs. Fortunately, none ever fell in that area.
After leaving school, Eric studied in Sheffield. He spent his university holidays working for Leeds City Transport as a conductor. As he wrote in SLL, he remembered
“..roaring up Belle Isle Road on a ‘London Car’. Fish and chips are being kept warm on the cupboard hiding the electrical resistances and, on the big front platform, behind the driver’s cab, someone is playing the accordion. Ten or so minutes later we’re dashing down through the woods and past the spoil heaps (you can smell them!) en route for Swinegate depot. It was supposed to take 22 minutes from Lingwell Road, but I remember one motorman (driver, to you!) who did it in twelve.”
Eric returned to Leeds to teach French. He loved to take holidays in France and Belgium, where he had many friends, and would bring back delicious chocolates to share with us all.
Following in his Labour Councillor father’s footsteps, Eric joined the Labour Party and was active in its Beeston & Holbeck branch for many years. Only in the last 18 months did he stop coming to meetings, when he could no longer properly hear what was said. He was enthusiastic and reliable, participated eagerly in discussions and always considered deeply before making up his mind.
Leeds Gay Community Group formed in the early 1970s, for mutual support, discussion and socialising. Eric was an early member. The Sexual Offences Act, which made male homosexuality legal between consenting adults aged over 21, only passed in 1967, and for teachers like Eric, it would be many years before they dared to speak of being gay, or even to bring up the subject. The Group was a lifeline for its members and still exists. In many ways, the Group became Eric’s family.
Eric’s friends included members of the Group, the Labour Party, the MHA which supported Eric to live at home, and neighbours from his street. He was a good, kind man, and will be much missed.
This post was written by Al Garthwaite, Chair, Beeston & Holbeck Labour Party, and friend of Eric Smith
Photo: a 19 year old Eric Smith in his Tram Conductor’s uniform standing in his back garden
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