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When pensioner Harry Leslie Smith stood on the stage at Labour ’s ­conference in 2014, his passion for social justice galvanised millions.

The man who had spent his life fighting fascism and defending the poor and refugees, reminded the party and its supporters of their roots and core values.

And last night, at a moving memorial service to the writer and activist – who died in November aged 95 – Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn vowed to stand by Harry’s vision for a fairer world.

Speaking at the event called Remembering a Rebel, Mr Corbyn said: “We are all going to carry on Harry Leslie Smith’s work.

“He was a giant of our movement.

(Image: Andy Stenning/Daily Mirror) (Image: Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)

“He could captivate people’s imaginations and appeal to all generations. He was a man of incredible optimism.

“Harry has gone but the baton now falls to his son, John. But it also falls to all of us to deliver his dream of a better society – and we will.”

The ceremony was held in Conway Hall, Central London.

The congregation of more than 250 sang his favourite song, Danny Boy, before Daily Mirror Associate Editor, Kevin Maguire, said: “Harry was always a life force, and he would want you to remember him with cheers and laughter – but cry if you want to.”

(Image: Geoffrey Swaine/REX)

Mr Corbyn then recalled how Harry was born into poverty in Barnsley, South Yorks, in 1923, the son of an injured, unemployed miner.

Harry was three when his elder sister, Marion, 11, died of tuberculosis in a workhouse.

It sparked his lifelong support for a National Health Service, which inspired the most memorable line of his Labour speech: “Mr Cameron – keep your mitts of my NHS.”

Harry went on to serve with the RAF in the Second World War. Mr Corbyn said: “Harry hated poverty because he grew up in poverty. He hated class ­privilege because of his sister’s death.

"And, as one who had seen what war was about, he dedicated his life to peace.”

(Image: Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror) (Image: Daily Record)

Later in life, Harry became an author and activist – dubbing himself “the world’s oldest rebel”.

His book, Harry’s Last Stand, became a huge hit and he gathered 250,000 Twitter followers.

Mirror columnist and friend, Ros Wynne Jones, said of Harry’s Labour conference speech: “I remember sitting at the back of the conference hall with tears pouring down my face, watching his galvanising effect on a movement.”

(Image: Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)

Harry’s son, John, talked about his hope that his work would continue.

And Unite’s general secretary, Len McCluskey, said: “Harry was a giant and it is our duty to stand on his shoulders.”

But the last words went to Harry: “I write, speak and fight for the underdogs of society because that will be my legacy – a reminder that all of us have a part to play in making the world a better place.”

And, as everyone got up from their seats to leave for the night, they all silently vowed to stand with Harry.