John Proctor
Me – John Proctor 55, married to Carollyn for 24years. We have two daughters Rosie
18 and Grace 16, two horses, a pony, two dogs and a cat. I was lucky to be brought
up on a small, mixed farm in West Herts in the 1960s and early seventies. A keen
primary school student, my keenness waned somewhat at Ashlyns School, Berkhamsted
where sport became of primary importance, playing cricket for Herts County Schools
U16s (hitting the winning runs against Kent). I did manage seven ‘O’ levels allowing
me to stay on in the sixth form to play football for Herts County Schools U18s. Somehow
I managed to pass 3 ‘A’ Levels (English, Geography and History) but had no desire
to further my education at University.
My first job was as a clerk in the motor department of GRE Assurance in Watford,
requiring a short commute by train. I enjoyed neither the job – filling in computer
data forms and later conjuring up insurance quotations, nor the rail journey. I
convinced my parents that a motor- cycle was a good idea and I took to two wheels
(Honda CB200). A move from motor to accident department led me to look for another
job. Meanwhile football and cricket were still important, playing senior football
in goal for Berkhamsted Town (for which I was paid – two pounds a game) and village
cricket for Bourne End including captaining the team.
Cricket helped me to secure a job I liked and ended up doing quite well. I had played
cricket in the colt’s side at Bourne End with local surveyor Bill Johnson’s sons,
a junior’s job came up at Mr J’s office in Hemel Hempstead and I got the job. Part
of the deal was day release to study for the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
qualifications which I eventually passed and was entitled to wear letters after my
name. Taking professional exams by this route while working at a traditional style
architectural/ surveying practice was an extremely good grounding in the profession.
After a couple of strategic moves to the two-man building surveying department of
a local estate agency and then to a large Housing Association I convinced myself
that I could become a freelance surveyor – which I duly became – long hours, hard
work and a recession. I made a solo parachute jump and played more football – Herts
County League for Coopers
(Wellcome, Roussel and various other names, but the same club) and still more cricket
at Bourne End.
In the late 1990s a legacy allowed me to review my career – whether to embrace computer-aided
design and learn the new building regulations or do something else. I took a course
for making leaded glass panels, liked it and then learnt the techniques of traditional
glass painting. Self- employment allowed me to make a gradual transition from architectural
work to full-time stained- glass/ lead-light making which I still do and thoroughly
enjoy. Too old for football, and more recently I regretfully gave up cricket as
my knees no longer did what I wanted them to do. In 2011 we moved back to the farm
where I was brought up.
Cecil Henry Gardener
Information has come to light concerning Jim's friend and work colleague Cecil Henry
Gardener.
Cecil was a few weeks older than Jim, born in late August 1922 in Muswell Hill and
was educated at Coldfall Elementary School, and Tollington Boys Grammar School, both
in Muswell Hill.
Cecil left school in the summer of 1939 having passed the General Schools' Certificate
with exemption from matriculation. Initially working in his mother's café for a short
time Cecil secured a clerical job with Gaumont British Films
This site is dedicated to the 55,573 aircrew who died serving with Bomber Command
during WWII, and to the memory of A/W/O Jimmie Ives RAFVR 625,626 and 100 Squadrons
RAF.
Contact Me
More Information
More Information
More Information
