I’m just going recount a few things that stick in my memory having known John for 50 years.
John always thought outside the box when planning adventures for youngsters living in Central London for which they were always grateful, as were the leaders who assisted John and his ability to think big.

One of his big ideas was to link Central London Scouting with Caterham in Surrey you could not get a wider mix of youngsters. He planned a week’s trip to Wales but not just visiting the tourist spots, no, “why don’t we go panning for gold, visit a disused mine go to the slate quarries, walk up over the mountains and then have a train ride on the local steam railway”.
All absolutely inspiring, so we were in Wales with a full program of activities but everyone had to make their own bed using a duvet. These are a couple of quotes whilst there from youngsters from leafy Surrey.
‘’I do not make beds! was the response from one youngster, that’s the Au pairs job’’ to which John reply ‘’Well Sunshine you either make your bed or you’re not going out’’ off he went to make his bed.
High up in the mountains the party stop to eat their packed lunch when one youngster was heard to call out ‘’I cannot possibility eat this orange without a fruit knife’’ Well sunshine etc, etc.
We would often meet on a Friday for an evening meal at restaurants in London, the game was, when asked for a name, John would give a preposterous one that no one else knew, ie., “Farquaharson” and until the name was called out with him keeping a perfectly straight face he would get up to go to the table with everyone else falling about laughing around him!
When John was very young he could not stir himself in the mornings so if we were away Breakfast started around noon, Lunch was at tea time and Dinner was around 10pm for him and the rest of us just fitted in around him.
On one occasion he was helping my parents with some electrical works, he phoned and told them to put the kettle on, he turned up three days later, but that was John.
When he married Gill all the Leaders helped with the arrangements Jean became the chauffeur wearing a peaked cap, Janet did the catering and I presented John with a full set of Brownie Badges for Housekeeping, Sewing, Agility and Cake Making.
It was a Team effort that continued for 50 great years.