John Fletcher: – [Heath 1936–1943]
With the passing of John Fletcher in April, Heath lost one of our most loyal Old Boys. John was born in 1924, and attended Heath from 1936 until 1943, the era evoked so well by John in his article that can be read in the 2010 Newsletter.
After leaving school John's first job was at Mackintosh’s, but he soon left to join the RAF, where he served on radar operations in Iceland and the Outer Hebrides. Continuing his academic studies after the war, he took an external first class honours degree in Chemistry from London University, at the then Technical High, later going on to gain a Ph.D. from London University, for whom he later acted as an examiner. John spent his entire post-war working life with WIRA — the Wool Industry Research Association — in Leeds, retiring in 1984.
A man of wide interests, John was a keen botanist, hardly missing a meeting of the Halifax Scientific Society for many years. He was also an accomplished pianist, with a deep knowledge of the French classical composers.
John retained a great affection for Heath and a very sharp memory of his school life. He often remarked that he wished that he had never had to leave! It may be a cliché, but his school days really were happy ones.
Our sympathy goes to Marjorie, his family and many friends.
Rod Eastwood