John Bell
I have to tell you that good friend and long term WIAS member, John Bell has recently died after 3 months in and out of hospital, he was 85 years old. A quiet and modest man who could be assertive when roused. He used his time and money well, having many interests from the arts, engineering, walking and even geology. perhaps he knew his poor health might limit his life. He had kidney problems and was glad to get by with peritoneal dialysis which he did overnight at home, with little impact on daily life. If he had to have haemodialysis it would have taken a few days each week in hospital !
Widely travelled, a few times to America, he was always looking for interesting meetings and places to visit. He introduced me to a few other brands of engieering: aeronautical, marine etc. He was a regular attendee to John Haslam’s former Heritage Coach Trips. A practicing catholic but did not proselyltize. Like Keith Rogers, John made newspaper cuttings that would be distributed to friends for items of their interests. He was apprenticed at Armstrong Siddeley which became Bristol Siddeley and then Rolls-Royce working on cars and gas turbine aero engines. He moved to Jaguar Land Rover and was employed on production problem’s resolutions. He had a partner, Gill. for 40 years and is servived by two nieces.
Below are 3 photographs: i) 5 WIAS members outside Brixworth Church, in 2021 September, following our visit to Sywell Aviation Museum, instigated by John, from left to right Phil. Adcock, Kieth Rogers, Martin Woolston, John Haslam and John Bell. I call it ‘The Last of the Summer Wine’, ii) Also WIAS Visit to Powerjets at Rugby with Keith Rogers, iii) Field Event model tent with John Haslam.
Martin WOOLSTON
