Rounding Calcutt cricket field a fourteenth time
His thoughts were elsewhere, occupied with leadership,
New ventures to be scoped, and new horizons scanned.
Had A E Housman represented him in rhyme
He’d reckon him tenacious as his tennis grip,
Whacking winners down with accurate eye and hand.
I knew John only through the poetry group. This poem was inspired by what we learnt about his life from his book on Headship and from the tributes at his funeral.