Pete Somerfield has just informed me of the recent death age 71 of retired Wing Commander John Gritten, who succeeded me as Head of School in 1964/5. The notice was in the Daily Telegraph mid-April. Whilst I don't think that I had seen him since I left school, Pete came across him occasionally when he was in the RAF.
I remember John as a very pleasant chap and a first rate athlete and games player. He died in Scotland where I think he did most of his RAF service.
In recent years he appears to have been involved with motivational matters including the training of staff for companies running prestige trains like the Orient Express.
John Stroud
1,599 views
martin
John was the head of Thomas House before me and stayed on for a short period before he left for Cranwell, I believe.
My memory was his impressive sprinting speed on the wing and for Kent Schools.
We always tried to feed him the ball and away he went.
Martin White
Leperail
John was Head of Thomas’s when I progressed from the Juniors to the Senior School. In 1970 I met him at Heathrow Airport whilst he was serving in the RAF in Washington DC. He was instrumental in persuading me to join the RAF. I did so and enjoyed a full career from 1970 to 1996. John was a great guy and superb athlete and rugby player. Whilst in the RAF I never met him again! I recently wrote to his widow in Scotland to offer my condolences.
In memory of John.
Terry DENNETT