Tributes

Born on 20 March 1932, Past Master Sir John Hall died this past August. When his daughter, Freewoman Caroline Dixon-Ward, wrote to inform The Company of the news, she shared, ‘He had enormous affection for his friends within the Clothworkers and high regard for The Company. He much enjoyed his work [there] and it meant a lot to him.’

John was educated at Eton and Trinity College, Oxford. He did his national service in the Royal Fusiliers. John was by profession a banker, starting his career in 1955 with J Henry Schroder Wagg. He then moved to Bank of America International. He had a long association with banking in South America. His last full-time post was as chairman of Nikko Bank UK.

Assistant Emeritus Richard Saunders remembers that John’s father, Sir Douglas Hall, came to a dinner at Clothworkers’ Hall as the guest of Alastair Leslie’s father. Having enjoyed himself, he enquired about joining The Company. Alastair claims that his father sent a postcard – his preferred method of communication – to the then- Clerk with the instructions: ‘Please deal with this’, which the Clerk duly did. John himself joined The Company in 1957. He progressed through the Livery to the Court, becoming Master in 1999. For the three years preceding his Master’s Year, he served as Chairman of the Trust and Grants Committee. He was a committed and enthusiastic Clothworker whose banking background was put to good use when discussing The Company’s business affairs.

Richard believes John would approve of the direction The Company is taking today, the strength of our finances and our vision for the future. John was known as a keen traveller and fisherman, at one time owning a house in the north of Scotland. He was also involved in the financial affairs of the Church of England, being a member of the St Albans Diocesan Synod and Board of Finance, the Bishop Stortford Deanery Synod and his local parish church council at Albury. In 1957, he married Delia Innes, half-sister of Jimmy Innes (who was Master Excused in 1983). They had three children, who are all members of the Freedom: Caroline Dixon-Ward, David B. Hall and Julia O’Brian. Delia died in 1997, and the following year John married Danzie Ravenshear, who ably supported him as the Master’s Lady. Sadly, John was to be twice a widower as Danzie died in 2016.

The 2nd Viscount Slim, John, was born on 20 July 1927. His father, William, was a renowned Field Marshall and Commander in the Chief Allied Land Forces, South East Asia during World War II. John spent his school holidays with his father, near the front lines in India and Burma. John was educated at the Prince of Wales Royal Indian Military College in Dehra Dun, India, and joining the British Indian Army himself in 1944. He succeeded to his father’s title in 1970, and was one of the 92 hereditary peers elected to remain following the passing of the House of Lords Act in 1999. He served as a member of the Defence Committee. After a long and distinguished career, he retired from the armed services as a Lieutenant-Colonel (later promoted to Colonel) in 1972. Following his retirement from the Army, Viscount Slim worked in business and went on to hold several directorships as well as dedicating his time to charitable causes.

Following his retirement, he also served as Master of The Clothworkers’ Company (1995-96). The Clerk, Jocelyn Stuart-Grumbar, visited John just a week before he died, remarking afterwards how positively John spoke of The Company. John’s daughter, The Hon Mary Ann Slim (Clothworker), reported that both her and father had immensely enjoyed attending the December Livery Dinner a month before. John dedicated decades of his life to supporting The Company and remained a trusted adviser and a friend to many Clothworkers until his death.

We regret to announce thefollowing deaths:

Penelope Jago Freewoman (May 2018)

Lord Carrington, KG GCMG CH MC PC DL Hon Livery (Jul 2018)

Sir John Hall, Bt Asst. Emeritus (Aug 2018)

Pamela Ward Freewoman (Sep 2018)

Daphne Cunningham Freewoman (Oct 2018)

Joyce Marjorie Prest Freewoman (Oct 2018)

Madeleine Aylward Free by Courtesy (Nov 2018)

The Viscount Slim, OBE DL Asst. Emeritus (Jan 2019)

Pamela Jack Free by Courtesy (2018)