Steve Hodgkinson and Jeff Lewis (former pupils themselves) were privileged recently to meet Sam Smallwood. At 96 he is the oldest Sandbachian known to the Old Sandbachians Association.
Born in Middlewich in 1919, he attended the school from 1931 – 1938. 
After training as a teacher at Crewe College he taught at Whitegate, Wheelock and Warmingham before he was drafted into the Royal Marines in WW2. Sam was stationed on the South coast, before sailing to N Africa, Malta, Sicily, and Italy.
After the war Sam trained as a Bass singer at The Royal Manchester College of Music before returning to his teaching career. He married and raised a family in London where he taught until retirement.
At 90 Sam expressed a desire to march at The Cenotaph. It was only at this point he pointed out he had never claimed his medals. With the help of his family Sam claimed his medals 64 years after WWII ended. He was invited to Westminster Palace where The Minister for Veterans, Kevan Jones presented Sam with The War Medal, Battle of Britain Medal,
Africa Star, Italy Star and The 1939-45 Medal. Later he fulfilled his ambition and marched with the veterans.
Sam shared some of his memories, including the fact that he was instructed by one teacher not to refer to Sandbach School, but simply to “The School”. He also sang the old School songs Gaudeamus (in Latin) and 40 Years On. We presented him with an OSA tie and the latest Sandbachian. It was wonderful to see how after so many years Sandbach School is so important to this great Old Boy. We want to express our sincere thanks and best wishes to Sam and to his daughter Jane, who made the visit possible by getting in touch.
Jeff Lewis (OSA Secretary)
