Felix Powell
Felix Lloyd Powell (23 May 1878 – 10 February 1942) was a Welsh British Army Staff Sergeant most famous for writing the music for marching song "Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit Bag and Smile, Smile, Smile", in 1915, during World War I. The words were written by his brother George Henry Powell (under the pseudonym George Asaf), and the song was entered into a competition for "best morale-building song". It won first prize and was noted as "perhaps the most optimistic song ever written". Powell later wrote a musical play, Rubicund Castle, which was staged at the Pavilion Theatre in Peacehaven.
Also recorded as Felix Lloyd Powell · Felix L. Powell
Felix Powell
- Name
- Felix Powell
- Birth Name
- Felix Lloyd Powell
- Born
- 23 May 1878
- Birthplace
- St Asaph, Wales
- Died
- 10 February 1942
- Place of death
- Peacehaven, East Sussex, England
- Occupation
- Composer
- Nationality
- United Kingdom · United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
- Known for
- Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit-Bag
- Languages
- English
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Documentary summary
Felix Lloyd Powell (23 May 1878 – 10 February 1942) was a Welsh British Army Staff Sergeant most famous for writing the music for marching song "Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit Bag and Smile, Smile, Smile", in 1915, during World War I. The words were written by his brother George Henry Powell (under the pseudonym George Asaf), and the song was entered into a competition for "best morale-building song". It won first prize and was noted as "perhaps the most optimistic song ever written". Powell later wrote a musical play, Rubicund Castle, which was staged at the Pavilion Theatre in Peacehaven.
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wikidata · Q5442307 · wikipedia · Felix Powell
In this article
Biography
Biography
When a West End producer bought it he drastically altered it, leaving only the music unchanged, and renamed it Primrose Times. This version went unstaged after the latter was arrested and convicted for fraud. Powell committed suicide during World War II in 1942, aged 63. Wearing the uniform of the Peacehaven Home Guard, he shot himself in the heart while on guard duty, using his own rifle.
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Felix Powell • Birth Name — Felix Lloyd Powell • Born — 23 May 1878 • Birthplace — St Asaph, Wales • Died — 10 February 1942 • Place of death — Peacehaven, East Sussex, England • Occupation — Composer
Life and career
Dated record
Life and career
The full dated record · 2 entries
1878
Felix Powell was born on 23 May 1878.
1942
Felix Powell died on 10 February 1942.
Places
Named by the record
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St Asaph.
Birth place
Peacehaven.
Death place
Primary material
Documents and archives
reference work
- “Felix Powell”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
Reputable secondary · Wikipedia
authority record
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q5442307: Felix Powell
General reference · Wikidata
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.National Theatre. Pack Up Your Troubles.
- 2.McKie, David. McKie's Gazetteer – A Local History of Britain. Atlantic Books. 419. 2008. 978-1-84354-654-2.
- 3.snopes.com. Bobby McFerrin Suicide Rumor. 3 November 2002.
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reference work
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Felix Powell is recorded as a citizen of United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. Recorded with the occupation composer.
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 19 August 2026.
Elsewhere in Music memorabilia
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