At the outset it is worth recording that since the completion of our school days John has taken every opportunity to absent himself from these shores and consequently my good self - is he trying to tell me something I ask? This theory is supported by the tale of when I returned to England following a year spent serving my Queen and country in the Australian outback and was greeted with a telegram from John, who was then based in Paris, containing one word: “Emigrate!"

 

From his initial career with the Legal & General and the Yorkshire Imperial Metalwork Company John went on to give the benefit of his expertise to various other concerns, some of which remained solvent, where his duties included selling hot-water bottles to the Cameroon and travelling to foreign lands that hitherto had only been visited by the occasional passing missionary....  Eventually he established himself in the world of Corgi who obviously taught him the old adage “if you can't beat them, join them" and so he, together with Peter Manning, set up their own company and, as events have shown, this proved to be a highly successful partnership.

 

In his youth John actively participated in sports such as hockey, tennis and squash but it was on the terraces of Plough Lane, the then home of Wimbledon Football Club, that he became a legend. No match would pass without the plaintiff cry of "Come on Bailham" emanating from his lips - to little avail one might add - and indeed the word on the street is that the expression provided the title for Bailham's subsequent autobiography.

 

Another of John's early interests was that of amateur dramatics. From initial success in Shakespearian school plays John progressed to the drama group based at St. James's Church in Merton where the productions ranged from whodunnits to pantomime....  In addition he, together with a friend, wrote and staged reviews that were well received by the audience and critics alike though it should be noted that he was known to decline walk-on parts on the grounds that they might involve too much unnecessary exercise.

 

The internal combustion engine and John have rarely been far apart. What is an established fact however is that this enthusiasm has practically single handedly kept the motor industries of both Britain and France afloat for many a year....  On the subject of transportation it should be added that John's business success could always be measured according to his choice of aircraft. If on a crest then Concorde was the preferred option; if otherwise then it was economy on Air Equatorial Guinea.

 

John is known for his love of good food but the reader may be interested to learn that many years ago he came to our home unexpectedly for supper and shared in the dish of the day - stuffed breast of lamb, costing the princely sum of one shilling (5p) for three portions (now that’s what I call value for money) and he then enquired if there were seconds!

 

John's keen sense of humour, generosity of spirit and concern for others are all much appreciated - as is his infinite charm and this is evidenced when coaxing Valerie to provide eggs and bacon at every available opportunity. He has always been most supportive to Valerie, myself and each of our three children - John even drove our daughter, Caroline, to her wedding - and so it will not surprise you to learn that he thoroughly deserved the title given to him at our wedding some forty years ago of Best Man.

 

So there you have John - a man of many parts - and the rumour is that some of them are still working...

 

 

 

I have now known John, man and boy, for some 67 years.   During this time we have scootered and tricycled in Dorset, cycled in Raynes Park, car rallied to the south of France and experienced motor racing at Le Mans. In addition and thanks to the sponsorship by his company Aurora, of Division 2 of Formula 1 racing, we were able to witness at very close quarters motor racing at its very best.

 

Over the years it has been one of my pleasures to share the companionship of John during numerous interesting journeys between England and France, but sadly my French has not improved beyond what might loosely be described as 'basic.’

 

John, I have always appreciated your thoughtfulness and generosity and you can always be relied upon to air a view on any subject at any time.

 

May I therefore congratulate you, John, upon your three score years and ten and wish you good health and happiness for the future - and thanks for being around!

 

- Colin