John will be sadly missed by his family and friends.

We are conscious that some people from his time at the School may not be in contact with us and we would ask if you could pass on this information to those that you know.

As is the usual practice, we would like to place an obituary for John in the 2022-2023 OI Journal and would be very grateful for any stories or memories you may wish to share which we could put together for the publication. Please address any contributions to me through oldipswichians@ipswich.school.

With best wishes,

Nicholas Allen

OI Chairman

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John attended St  John’s School for his early education before moving to Ipswich School in 1939 at the age of eleven .Initially in Form 1A he progressed normally to take School Certificate in 1944 followed by Higher School Certificate in 1946. He enjoyed the other facilities offered by the School joining the scouts where he became troop leader. Later he joined the JTC where he was  promoted to  sergeant major. His main sporting interest was rugby where he played for the Colts XV and later for the First XV where he was awarded  First XV colours becoming Captain in his last season. John was appointed House Captain of Broke and became a school prefect.He was School Captain for his last year at school. On leaving he went to Selwyn College Cambridge to study  natural  sciences graduating in1949. He then stayed a further year to gain the Certificate in Education.

John then successfully applied for a short service commission in the RAF  Education Branch. After OCTU he had various postings to flying stations helping  all ranks to improve their qualifications. On returning to civilian life he was appointed to the staff at Wymondham College  where he stayed for several years.  it was while he was at Wymondham that he married Jean Barker from Ipswich. After another career move, John saw  the post of Head of Biology at Northgate Grammar School For Boys in Ipswich being advertised. He applied for the position and was successful . John quickly settled into the challenge of running his own department and also saw his family of his wife and two girls  happily moved  into a new house on the Broke Hall estate. One more career move followed when the post of Head of Science  at Copleston School was advertised and he was appointed,

John was a strong believer in the merits of family life and helping to bring up his own family gave him much pleasure. John was a long-standing  Mason and in retirement was a member of Probus.

Tony Gostling (OI 1938-48)