John was a stylish, wristy right handed batsman and an excellent wicket-keeper. A short man at only 5’6” he played predominantly off the front foot and had an exquisite cover drive and classic square cut. Despite his lack of height, or rather because of it, he attacked short pitched bowling with the hook deep over fine leg (possibly the only shot he played in the air). He was undoubtedly the outstanding batsman of his generation finishing top of the averages on nine occasions, 1953, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1961, 1962, 1968, 1973 and second in 1960 and 1963. Scored 500 runs in a season six times (four consecutively between 1960 and 1963) with a seasons best of 847 (av. 36.82) in 1962.  His highest score was 116 not out against Kidbrooke on 16 September 1955 with thirty-nine other scores over 50, eight which came in the summer of 1962.

In partnership with Stan Chisnell their stand of 157 v. Cyphers on 01.06.1958 was the first club partnership to exceed 150 and stood as the second wicket record for thirty five years. As a number three batsman it was the fourth time John had held the second wicket record partnership. When Derek Dennis left the club John moved up to open the innings where he shared two more century partnerships with Stan and another thirteen stands over fifty making them the most successful opening partnership of all time. In all he shared eight century partnerships, three of them with Ron Stevens. His century partnership, 114, with Harold Tozer v. Quantums 19.07.1953 stood as the Club’s sixth wicket record until 2005.

He was also without peer as a wicket keeper. His unfussy style belied the speed of his reactions and his agility behind the stumps. Fearless and encouraging, he preferred to stand up to all but the fastest of bowlers and his record number of dismissals is testimony to his effectiveness and judgement. Created a club record of 41 dismissals (30 ct and 11 st) in 1964.

Born in India to an English father and Indian mother, the fourth of seven children with three brothers and three sisters. He was raised and educated at a boarding school in India until the family returned to England after the Second World War – too late for John to be considered for National Service. He started work immediately at Johnson & Phillips with whom he remained throughout their various mergers and acquisitions for his working life, retiring at age 65. His father was an engineer on the Woolwich Ferry.

Around 1950 a young widow with three daughters, Ruth Blanchett, was employed by J & P and was assigned to John in a secretarial capacity. An office romance blossomed after John found out Ruth had a television and invited himself to watch what must have been one of the first televised football matches. In 1952 they were married and had two children of their own, Yvonne in 1953 and Graham in 1955.

Ruth and the family accompanied John to every game throughout his entire playing career; Ruth’s youngest daughter Pauline kept score from the age of ten for many years (and would have been a major contender for the Jean Pearce trophy if it had been in existence in those days). Graham later played for club but died tragically young at age 42 from bowel cancer.

A shy and quiet man but not unsociable, John once lent his piano to the Club for the visit of Dagenham Dock C.C. It is not known what Ruth made of this gesture as its removal, delivery and return, due to its weight and unwieldy nature and the insufficient capacity of a Ford Anglia as its carrier, proved to be traumatic manoeuvre not least to the instrument itself.

John was also a fervent Charlton Athletic supporter and managed to continue attending matches until near his death. Sadly John’s retirement was blighted by ill health, first he was diagnosed with Prostate cancer for which he had surgery and then some years later suffered a heart attack.  Cancer returned later and John who had been invalided in his own home for some two years spent his last month in St. Christopher’s Hospice in Sydenham.

He is survived by his widow Ruth, his step daughters Ruth (also), now married for a fourth time and living in Brixham, Val and her husband Ray Malyon – who played a few games for Grenfell – and their two sons living in Eastbourne. Sadly Pauline’s marriage broke up and she now lives with her half-sister, Yvonne in Brockley, South East London. Pauline has two adopted children and Yvonne two sons who often accompanied John to Charlton matches.

GRENFELL CAREER

Batting                                                                         Bowling             Wicket Keeping

Year	MTS	INNS	NO	RUNS	HS	AVGE	100	50	CTS	OVR	MDN	RUNS	AVGE	CTS	STS
1951	27	27	2	265	44	10.60								23
1952	13	13	1	131	29*	10.92								2	5
1953	14	14	2	277	86	23.08		3						9	5
1954	25	25	0	507	91	20.28		3						13	6
1955	31	30	6	697	116*	29.04	1	2						20	6
1956	20	19	4	441	81	29.40		1						13
1957	21	21	3	450	83	25.44		2						10	4
1958	16	15		349	69	23.26		2						9	3
1959	17	16	1	371	59*	24.66		2						12	1
1960	27	27	2	591	82*	23.64		3						18	5
1961	24	24		543	68	22.62		3						20	2
1962	27	27	4	847	72*	36.82		8						15	8
1963	22	22	2	508	93*	25.40		1						18	7
1964	29	29	2	467	56*	17.29		2						30	11
1965	19	19	2	250	61*	14.70		2						6	3
1966	27	27	1	393	45	15.11								19	3
1967	13	13	1	188	41	15.66								11	3
1968	15	15		360	76	24.00		1						12	2
1969	22	22	2	326	61	16.30		1						16	5
1970	11	10		214	53	21.40		1						4	2
1971	5	4	1	39	16				5
1972	10	10		106	22	10.60			2					5
1973	12	10	1	265	69	29.44		1	2					5	1
1974	11	11	3	137	42*	17.12			2						1
1975	16	16	1	243	58*	16.20		1	3					4
1976	6	6		60	19	10.00								2	2
Total	480	472	41	9025	116*	20.94	1	39	14					296	85

HIGHEST INDIVIDUAL SCORES

116*        v              Kidbrooke                             18.09.1955

93*          v              Dagenham Dock                  16.06.1963

91            v              National Coal Board           05.09.1954

86            v              Nunhead                                 03.07.1955

86            v              Quantums                               19.07.1953

83            v              Pinchin & Johnson               30.06.1957

82*          v              British Ropes                          28.05.1960

81            v              United Dairies                         13.06.1956

81            v              Old Addeyans                          02.07.1960

76            v              Borstal                                        18.06.1968

75            v              U.G.B.                                         21.05.1953

73            v              Comrades                                  22.05.1954

72*          v              Greenheath                               28.04.1962

70            v              Glovers                                      08.05.1954

69            v              Stones                                         25.07.1953

69            v              Cyphers                                      01.06.1958

69            v              Cornhill                                       21.07.1973

68*          v              Acons St Helens                      28.07.1955

68            v              Petts Woods                              23.09.1961

62*          v              Meadows                                    20.05.1962

62            v              Wat Bonded W’hse                  26.05.1958

61*          v              Dartford                                      12.07.1965

61            v              Petts Wood                                 16.06.1952

59*          v              Locks Bottom                            23.05.1959

58”          v              Met Police                                  10.07.1955

58*          v              Old Colfeians                             27.04.1975

58            v              Dagenham Dock                       18.06.1961

57            v              Clacton Police                          07.06.1962

57            v              Private Banks                            01.09.1962

57            v              B.I.C.C.                                         16.08.1959

56*          v              Old Colfeians                              13.09.1964

56            v              Darenth Park                              02.09.1962

54            v              Private Banks                             28.07.1962

53            v              Statics                                           09.05.1970

52            v              Dagenham Dock                        18.06.1961

51            v              Dartford                                       22.08.1964

Plus four other fifties unidentifie