It with sadness that we bring you the news that Old Boy and SMCS stalwart John Austin has died, aged 88.
His funeral will be on December 19th 2019 at 1pm at Merevale Church, Atherstone.
Our deepest sympathies go to his family at this time.
John was at St Michael’s during WWII from 1941-1944, and was someone who, like many Society members, was deeply influenced by his time at St Michael’s. John recently wrote and published several books, including in 2014, “Ouseley’s Legacy”. He was, until recently, very active in the Society, having been a past President amongst other roles.
John was born in Atherstone in Warwickshire and went to SMC when he was nine. He went on to Repton and then to do National Service in the Royal Navy progressing from ordinary seaman to Sub Lieutenant RNVR. He joined the family firm of hat manufacturing and he retired when he was 53.
One of his chief pleasures came from writing including poetry; he was a keen Johnsonian and for some years literary secretary of the Johnson society. He was a member of the worshipful company of felt makers of London. His books include Merevale church and Abby 1988, history of Atherstone street names, 2000, Merivale and Atherstone 1485, and Hats Coal and Bloodshed 2005. Other interests included wood sculpture and cookery and Freemasonry.
