Page 61 - Old Ratcliffian 2020 Edition

the RAF. Julia was John’s business partner his cultural life by attending Glyndebourne devotion. Regrettably, in the end, due to
in World-Wide Entertainments, and they and the theatres in London and Stratford. developing severe Parkinson’s, he had to
were supported by Sylvia, their personal He was also a great support to Philip Jones enter a private care home. He died during
assistant. Julia also retained her working (59) when he was Ratcliffian Association the coronavirus lockdown, but not from it.
links with her family’s companies. From President (from 2002 to 2003), offering
1984, the agency placed cabaret artists in him support and encouragement. Both Julia and John did not have children of OBITUARIES
hotels across the Middle East and Far East, John and Julia regularly attended Old their own, but John was a loving and
and through specialist agents, cruise ships, Ratcliffian dinners at Ely Place and at the much-loved uncle to his brother Frank’s
and holiday venues in the UK. The agency College. They also travelled extensively, family. John had a very serene personality
was sold in 2000. especially in the Middle East, which they and a deep Christian faith. During those
both loved, and they enjoyed cruising. years of illness, I never heard him complain
From 2000 onwards, John’s idea of or grumble when I visited him. His funeral,
retirement took the form of dealing in After his birthday in 2015, John became conducted by a friend of the family, Fr
stocks and shares full-time, which became very unwell. Following neurosurgery at the Simon Gillespie, took place in a natural
his third career. This had always been a part- Queen’s Medical Centre, he was diagnosed burial ground not far from the home that
time interest, but now he studied and took with a primary cerebral diffuse lymphoma. they shared and Ratcliffe College. May he
part in intensive training courses, and he He maintained some quality of life, but rest in peace.
was soon dealing as a ‘semi-professional’ he was forced to forego his dealing in
in English and American stocks, with much shares. He remained at home, with some Fr David Myers (59), with input
enjoyment and success. For his recreation, specialist help to assist Julia. During these from John’s wife, Julia
he took up golf and yoga, and he continued years, John was cared for by Julia’s loving

EWAN WILLIAM SIMMONDS

APRIL 18TH 1941 – APRIL 3RD 2020
OLD RATCLIFFIAN 1951 – 1959

Ewan was born in Derby, the first child of other places. As a staff officer, he visited
William (Bill), an architect, and Eileen, a and audited pay records of the army, taking
doctor and practising GP. In time, Ewan was him from Malaysia to Israel.
joined by his sisters, Anne, Mary, and Hilary.
In 1948, the family moved to Melbourne In retirement, Ewan was the RAPC
in Derbyshire, where his mother set up in Regimental Secretary, before fully retiring
medical practice. in 2006. During his service life, he had been
involved in various sporting activities and,
After prep school, Ewan joined Ratcliffe in in retirement, he became a qualified coach
1951. It was here that his love and talent for with the Athletics Club in Winchester.
languages and athletics were first fostered. His skills and patience helped several
He often spoke of the happy times that he athletes to achieve top-10 rankings, and
spent at Ratcliffe and, much later, when his leadership of Sportshall, for younger
his family lived in Leicestershire for two athletes, aided them in reaching many of
years, he enjoyed becoming involved in the its National Finals.
College’s social life again.
Ewan and his wife, Jennie, met when they
Upon leaving Ratcliffe, Ewan went on were working in Germany – he was with abroad. A special treat for them was to visit
to study Languages and Economics at the army, and she was teaching service the Art Institute of Chicago, close to where
Trinity College in Dublin, before taking children. They married in 1974 and have their daughter, Phillipa, lives.
up a graduate apprenticeship with GKN. three daughters, Abi, Phillipa, and Helen,
However, finding that the world of and four grandchildren. Ewan died at the age of 78. He had been
commerce and industry was not to his suffering from a malignant melanoma
liking, he eventually left to embark on a Both Ewan and Jennie had a love of travel, for a year, and he had bravely and
career as an army officer – a career that and Ewan’s linguistic skills enabled them uncomplainingly undergone surgery and
he loved, achieving the rank of major. He to explore the quieter corners of Europe, immunotherapy. He passed away peacefully
first discovered the army when he joined especially France and Spain. A posting in the Countess Mountbatten Hospice in
the CCF at Ratcliffe, later joining the to Gibraltar was ideal for exploring the Southampton, after a short stay in hospital.
Territorial Army whilst working at GKN. Andalusian hinterland, away from the He leaves behind not only his immediate
For the first 10 years of his career, Ewan crowds on the coast. They also spent many family, but also his two sisters, and a large
served with the Royal Corps of Transport, happy times in the South of France, often extended family. May he rest in peace.
before transferring to the Royal Army Pay staying with Ewan’s sister, Mary. Art was
Corps (RAPC). He served across the world also a shared interest, and they enjoyed Jennie Simmonds
in Aden, Singapore, Sharjah, and many many visits to galleries in this country and Wife

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