OLD PERSEANS
Obituaries
a glider solo, which no doubt
Royal Academy of Engineering.
fostered his life-long interest in
Approaching retirement age,
aviation.
John’s career took another turn
On leaving school, he spent a
John Hicks (1954)
when he became Secretary
year as a student apprenticeship
General of the International
with Vickers-Armstrongs (later
Institute of Welding, a job which
the British Aircraft Corporation)
took him all over the world. In
before going to Downing College
retirement John was for 12 years
to read Mechanical Sciences,
the Secretary of the Alumni
specialising in Aeronautics.
Association at Downing College
After graduation, he returned
and Editor of its annual newsletter.
to Vickers where he worked on
In recognition of his contribution
structural testing of the VC10 and
to the College he was elected
the aerodynamics of the ill-fated
an Emeritus Fellow Commoner
TSR-2. He then joined the British
in 2011.
Welding Research Association in
John was a cheerful and
Abington and became a specialist
sociable man who was modest
Peter Hicks (current staff) writes:
in welding and metal fatigue. His
about his achievements. Beyond
John joined the Perse Prep in 1945
book - Welding Joint Design, first
his professional life he played an
from Whittlesford primary school.
published in 1979 is still available
active part in the life of his village,
On entry to the Upper in 1947 he
today. In the mid-1970s he set up
being treasurer for a local charity
achieved the required standard
his own specialist consultancy
and church organist for many
for a Foundation Scholarship,
on welded construction which
years. He often returned to The
though he instead took up the
he pursued for over 30 years.
Perse for reunion dinners and
more advantageous County Free
During this time, he worked on
sang with the Friends of The Perse
Place under the Government’s
a range of high-profile projects
Choir as recently as 2015.
Direct Grant Scheme. John always
including North Sea oil platforms,
spoke fondly of his time at The
the Jubilee Line extension and
He will be greatly missed by his
Perse and how, as a cadet in the
the Thames Barrier. In 1990, he
two sons, David and Peter; and
RAF Section, he had learnt to fly
was elected to a Fellowship of the
grandson, Philip.
John Bullen (1954)
completed his qualifications at
John died on 21 October 2019.
the Winmarleigh Hall Institute of Richard Bullen writes:
Agriculture in Lancashire before
John Bullen passed away on 18
completing his National Service
October 2019, aged 83. John
with the Royal Navy between 1954
joined The Perse in 1946 as a
and 1956. In 1970, he joined the
day pupil and then became a
Ministry of Agriculture, Food &
boarder in 1950 before leaving the
Fisheries fulfilling a variety of roles,
School aged 16. In recent years he
most notably the national response
returned to the school for alumni
to live animal exports in the early
events, the last time being for
1990s and, following his retirement
the Half Century Club lunch in
in 1996, his recall to support the
2018, where he would recall many
Ministry’s response to the outbreak
fond memories of his time as a
of foot and mouth disease in
Persean: notably the kindness of
2001. John moved to Lodsworth
the staff, the visit of Field Marshal
in West Sussex in 1958, where he
Smuts, the rugby, and the School’s
married Janet in 1962. He had a
theatre productions which he
strong sense of public service,
enjoyed immensely.
becoming a parish councillor, and
village hall, which opened in 2000.
was instrumental in a number
He had active roles on the village’s
Cambridgeshire countryside,
of projects for his adopted
recreation ground, fete, allotment,
his first passion was agriculture
community such as the Oakfield
amateur dramatics, football and
and on leaving school, he
housing development and the new
village hall committees too.
Growing up in the
22
