Spirited general who fought for the poor

26 June 2006

By Michael Holman

If wars have their unknown warriors, whose sacrifice enlightens and inspires survivors, then Susie Smith should be celebrated as an unknown general in the global battle against poverty. 

For three decades Smith, who died in Oxford last week aged 55, fought for the poor - first as a foot soldier in Africa and for the last 10 years as a compassionate and inspirational counsellor at Oxfam, the international developtment agency.