In my first year at school, the war was still on and we could not get school uniforms. I travelled each day from Torrington by train, which was often late if there had been an air raid at Waterloo.
I was in form 1T, the form master being Mr Tregenza, the first man I had ever had as a teacher; he was quite scary looking but turned out to be first class. Unfortunately, during my 2nd year, my father who I had not seen for 5 years during the war, suddenly died. This caused my school work to suffer and I rather coasted through afterwards so it was at the second attempt that I passed my School Certificate.
My main claim to fame was in 1950, I opened the bowling against the Old Boys and I took 5 wickets for 9 runs so we had a shock win.
On leaving school I started an electrical apprenticeship, but after 3 years I left to join the Royal Navy and did 7 years in the Fleet Air Arm. I was on the review of the fleet for the Queen’s Coronation and I have a certificate for going into the Arctic Circle – that really was cold.
I had a good tour of the east coast of the USA, Boston, Norfolk Virginia and New York. On leaving the Navy, I did a short period at the Regent Palace Hotel and then The Ministry of Aviation. A year later I became one of the few Devon men to join the City of London Police where I completed 30 years rising to the dizzy heights of Sergeant. Some highlights were Winston Churchill’s Funeral, Charles and Diana’s wedding and every year the Lord Mayor’s Show. I even ended up on one occasion in the back of the Queen Mother’s car whilst she was in it and I was lying at her feet with a lady who had severe mental problems.
On retiring I was 58 and had no desire to find other employment as there was plenty of voluntary work to keep me occupied. For a while I fostered homeless dogs for RSPCA.
My period as president came 54 years after I left the school but as I lived 250 miles from Bideford, it was impossible for me to have any real other than just returning the following year to hand over. But was an honour I was very proud to accept.
I have been giving talks to various groups to raise money for Police charities I even ended up on YouTube in one talk for the Rotary club that I did not know was being filmed!
Since Covid, I have been completely retired. I hope I have not strayed too much from the subject, my excuse is old age.
Best wishes to you all in these troubled times John.
