The recipients gave an interesting talk to those at the Brighton Regency/Haywards Heath Circles' joint Clergy night in February. Full story to be uploaded soon. Picture below:

£22,340.68

Province 18 raises £22340 for the centenary appeal

Our small Province 18 has raised 10% of the total that the Association has donated to Cafod & Caritas Australia as a result of the Centenary Give Water Life and Hope Appeal.  Make sure that your Circle informs your local newspapers on the amount that your Circle contributed.

Bro MAURICE A SMITH DFC & Bar, KHS, KSG

Bro Maurice passed away in his sleep on the 9th November 2009. He was a prominent member of the Catenian Association and a past Provincial President. He had a distinguished war record in Bomber Command and later after the war was also a very successful businessman, running Chapman and Smith Ltd for many years. A full obituary is posted below:

Bro MAURICE SMITH, Squadron Leader RAF-(VR) (Retired) DFC and Bar, AE, KCHS, KSG
The funeral of Bro Maurice took place at Our Lady of Ransom Church , Eastbourne on Friday 4th December . Bro Maurice was born in London in 1920 and educated at Douai School, Berkshire, from 1932 to 1937. He later lived with his family in Polegate for 20 years, before moving to Eastbourne in 1982. Before the Second World War, he joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve for pilot training at Hatfield as a sergeant. Called up in September 1939, he soon received his wings and was posted to 44 Squadron at Waddington. At the end of 1940 he was commissioned, and was later awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He worked as an instructor for a short time then returned to operations with 83 Squadron at Scampton, flying Avro Manchesters before he flew the legendary Lancaster, an aircraft he loved.
In 1949, he formed Chapman & Smith Ltd with Bert Chapman. The company manufactured a wide range of safety products and was originally based in Mill Hill, north London, but relocated to East Hoathly in the 1960s. As it expanded he became managing director and then chairman. He remained active in the company into his 80s, until 2007 when it closed. He was also an active member of Our Lady of Ransom Catholic Church in Eastbourne and, because of his charitable work and donations became a a Knight of the Holy Sepulchre .
On behalf of the mayor of Eastbourne, Mr Smith organised relief convoys to Poland in the 1980s . He contributed much from his own and his family's resources in both materials and manpower for the project. Mr Smith was a member of The Catenians, twice being president of the Eastbourne Circle as well as Provincial President. He was married to Mary for 59 years but she predeceased him, as did his youngest daughter, Caroline. He leaves three daughters, 12 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

An example of his bravery (for which he was awarded a bar to his DFC)is reproduced from the London Gazette:

Flying Officer Maurice Arthur SMITH, D.F.C. (88658), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve,

'No. 83 Squadron. On 12th February, 1942, this officer was the captain of an aircraft which participated in an attack on German battleships at sea. When nearing the objectives, his aircraft was attacked by 3 enemy fighters. The rear gunner was wounded in the hand and chest but he opened fire on one of the attackers, causing it to dive away. It was then shot down by the front gunner. Although another of the fighters was shot down, Flying Officer Smith's aircraft had sustained much damage. The starboard wing was pierced by a cannon shell, the starboard rudder shot away in shreds and other damage was sustained. Nevertheless, by a fine display of airmanship, Flying Officer Smith succeeded in flying the aircraft safely back to this country where he made a safe landing. In the face of difficult circumstances, this officer displayed great skill and courage. .'  (Crown Copyright reserved)

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