John Lindsey
(OC 1939-1944)

Born 17 October 1926, died 17 June 2020, aged 93 years old 

John Lindsey was born in Eastbourne in 1926 and following a long, happy, and active life passed away on 17 June 2020. 

John’s family moved to Hampshire when he was a young boy and he would happily recount stories of his early life at Elm Cottage, Petersfield with his brothers and the family pets. After attending prep school in Petersfield John boarded at Caterham School between 1939 and 1944, a time he remembered fondly. 

Having served as a British officer with the Gurkhas in the Far East John returned to join his father as an orthotist in the family business. Following spells at Hastings and Brighton he moved to Portsmouth to manage the business until his retirement. 

John was a keen amateur dramatist. He met his wife Joan at the Portsmouth Players musical theatre company; both became lifetime members. As a Rotarian John was a longstanding member of the Rotary Club of Portsmouth and Southsea serving as its president in the 1970s and being active in establishing its housing association as a successful local provider of housing for the elderly. 

John served as a magistrate at Portsmouth Magistrates Court and provided services to the Royal Navy Detention Quarters for which he received an OBE.  

As a football fan John was a long time Pompey supporter and season ticket holder at Fratton Park; he was a keen spectator at Wembley in May 2008 to witness their FA Cup win! 

As a dedicated family man John was married to Joan for 52 years. He is survived by his four children, twelve grandchildren and five great grandchildren. 

John lived life to the full, during his ninetieth birthday party at a local Palmerston Fort he fired a cannon. Whilst his guests stood around the perimeter, suitably protected with ear defenders, John was in the middle of the parade ground yearning to pull the trigger. 

And that was the story of John’s life, he wanted to be in the middle, involved. His passion for life was evident in everything he did. 

Dad, you will be greatly missed by us all. 

Written by his son Keith

Click here to view large version of this photo of Caterham School Prefects 1944