Remembering John Cammell

Son of Vere Bernard Cammell (2.1911-14), John was a House Prefect and was awarded gymnastics colours in 1953.

After leaving Malvern, John, like many others, was called up for two years of National Service. Because he had been a member of the Royal Marines Forces Volunteer Reserve (RMFVR) while still at Malvern, he was posted to Lympstone, near Exeter, for basic training. From there he was sent for officer training at OCTU Eaton Hall, near Chester. Upon being commissioned he was transferred to the Royal Hampshire Regiment and immediately seconded to 1st Battalion King’s African Rifles in Nyasaland (now Malawi and Malawi Rifles). There he became something of a marksman, becoming the battalion’s Champion Shot as well as being awarded national shooting colours by representing Nyasaland in the annual Empire Day Challenge versus other British Commonwealth countries in 1954 and 1955.

Following demobilisation, he joined Guthrie & Co Ltd in London and was sent, as a mercantile assistant, to Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) for four years. After marrying Jean he returned to the UK in 1960 where he joined British Oxygen Co. Ltd before returning to Africa to join African Oxygen Co. Ltd (Afrox). In 1969 he joined Thos, Barlow & Son (now Barloworld Ltd) as Group Public Relations Manager and served in that capacity until he retired to Fish Hoek, Cape Town, in 1997.

He is survived by his wife, four children and grandchildren.

John died on 23rd March 2024, aged 88.