In memory of John John and I met at secondary school. I remember the first day. All the new boys had to wait on the front drive. The school was opposite Watney’s brewery and there was a terrible smell in the air from boiling hops or something, I thought at first it was school dinners. I wasn’t far wrong. John and I became firm friends at school. A friendship that lasted for life, unbroken by a gap of several years when he and Sylvia moved to Raynes Park and we moved to Hertfordshire. John was always ready to help. He and Sylvia helped us to move house from Epsom to Chesham, accompanied by a very small Sarah. We joined in his demolition party, knocking down an old concrete air raid shelter in his garden in Raynes Park. A very risky endeavour – hard hats had not been invented. It was great when John and family moved into St Albans and we met up again, Things were just the same. Our dinner evenings were always entertaining. Discussions were wide ranging but as we moved to the brandy we discussed the serious things in life, such as the choice of wine for the meal, a whisky tasting, laughter, reminiscences and news about friends and memorably, whether or not we should cut up John’s credit card (we did!). John was a talented musician. At school he played the trombone and he was so good, he was invited to join the London Schools Symphony Orchestra. His love of music continued after school and was ever present. He sang with the Fulham Light Operatic Society and music was ever present when we went to his house. John was a dedicated family man, encouraging their children to take up hobbies and develop skills. He regularly swam alongside Chris as he developed into a formidable swimmer. John’s last year was so difficult for us and even more so for Sylvia, Sarah and Caroline. It caused Frances and me great distress at times to watch as Sylvia sat with him and cared for him every day. We are relieved that he is at peace now and soon, we hope, at rest with Christopher. Peter Wilson