John Tweddell Downes I.S.O
(1925-2006)
John Downes was born in Plymouth in1925. He joined the Merchant Navy in 1943 and served as a Communication's Officer during the Battle of the Atlantic. He returned to shore in 1947, and after marrying his childhood sweetheart Mary, worked for the Ministry of Agriculture in North Devon. In 1952 he joined the Colonial Service in Nigeria and together with Mary, worked in some of the most isolated parts of North Nigeria on the southern borders of the Sahara Desert. Often they were the first Europeans to have visited these remote regions for over half a century.
In 1960 John was transferred to Hong Kong where he rose to the rank of Assistant Colonial Secretary, and as a commisioned officer in the Royal Naval Reserve, founded the Hong Kong Sea Cadet Corps. His outstanding work within the Civil Service was duly recognised when he was made a companion to the Queen and awarded the Imperial Service Order. Unfortunately John was forced to take early retirement on medical grounds in 1971, and he and Mary spent the rest of their lives together in Woolfardisworthy, North Devon, where they quickly earned the respect and love of the local community. John became a financial manager for many local businesses, and was a tireless pillar of the community and church. He renewed his love of the sea by becoming the Commanding Officer of TS Revenge, the Bideford Sea Cadet Corps and became an inspiration for generations of young people.
During his retirement, John became an acknowledged author and was an expert in such diverse areas as African History, and Devonshire dialect. He was the author of several books including `A Dictionary of Devonshire Dialect` (1988), `Granfer's Bible Stories` (2005) and `Fragrant Harbours, Distant Rivers` (2006). He was widowed in 2002, and after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease, died peacefully in North Devon District Hospital on Tuesday February 14th aged 81. He is survived by his two sons, Jonathan Downes, (46) - Director of the Centre for Fortean Zoology - and The Rev'd Richard Downes BEM CF (42), a Chaplain to the Forces in the Army. The funeral will take place at Clovelly Parish Church at 12 p.m on Tuesday 21st February.
My brother and I would like to extend a warm welcome to a reception at Myrtle Cottage, Woolsery at 1.30 pm, followed by a short service of committal at Barnstaple Crematorium at 3.30 pm. All members of the congregation are invited to attend this if they wish to do so.
No flowers by request, but donations can be made in his name to the Bideford Sea Cadets, or to the CFZ Trust (www.cfz.org.uk).
Saturday, February 18, 2006
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
JOHN TWEDDELL DOWNES 1925-2006
Requiem
by Robert Louis Stevenson
UNDER the wide and starry sky
Dig the grave and let me lie:
Glad did I live and gladly die,
And I laid me down with a will.
This be the verse you grave for me:
Here he lies where he long'd to be;
Home is the sailor, home from sea,
And the hunter home from the hill.
My father died at just after six thirty this morning. Richard - my brother - and I were at the bedside. I held his hand whilst Richard - an army Padre - said the prayers for the dying. It was a very beautiful and spiritual moment, and it will take both of us a considerable time before we can put it all in perspective.
My brother and I would like to thank ALL the staff on the Intensive Care Unit at the North Devon District Hospital, especially Dad's alloted nurse Michelle, who was affectionate, kind beyond belief, and both compassionate and professional. Thank you my dear - we both owe you a debt that can never be repaid.
The funeral arrangements will be made in the next day or so and we shall post them here.
My brother and I want to thank everyone who has given us messages of support over the last weeks.
God Bless you all
Jon and Richard Downes
Monday, February 13, 2006
Latest News
We have recently be informed by Graham, who is with Jonathan at his fathers bedside that he is "unlikely to last the night" at Barnstaple Hospital.
Our thoughts and prayers are with them
Mark North
Our thoughts and prayers are with them
Mark North
APPROACHING THE END
Graham and I went to the hospital this afternoon. Dad is in intensive care, and in a semi-comatose state. On top of everything else he now has a punctured bowel, and acute renal failure. He is unlikely to last more than a few more days. I would rather that he be visited only by close family. My brother is on Compassionate Leave from the Army and is flying back to England tonight.
I will, of course, keep everyone posted about his progress.
Thank you all for your support and kindness.
I will, of course, keep everyone posted about his progress.
Thank you all for your support and kindness.
UPDATE
I have just spoken to the hospital. They have asked me to come there now. My brother is flying back from Germany this evening. I have to say that it does not look good.
Keep us in your prayers...
Keep us in your prayers...
MONDAY MORNING
I have just had a telephone call from the hospital. Dad is in considerable pain with a strangulated hernia and will be going in to surgery shortly. How serious this is I don't know, but I will keep you updated. Your thoughts and prayers are neded at this time more than ever.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
