J H 1950 - 1955
John was the eldest of three brothers at Haywardsfield, namely Colin (JH 1952 – 58) and Phillip (H 1960 – 65) following in the footsteps of their father, Hubert (H 1923 – 28). John’s daughter, Elizabeth, also attended Wycliffe (IG 1983 – 85).
He left Wycliffe at the end of the autumn term 1955, having captained the rugby second XV and played in the cricket second XI. His prospects of making the first XV would have been made more difficult by the fact that, unusually, all of the previous season’s side remained at school. The Star records that he ‘captained the second XV most competently and played one very courageous game for the first XV. Injuries constantly interfered with his fitness and he undoubtedly missed more games that he took part in. At his best, a very good defensive three quarter’. In cricket, it records he ‘served usefully as an all-rounder’.
However, his sporting aspirations later realised were in golf. He would have been inspired by his father, who had been captain of his local club, Pennard (Swansea), for six successive seasons after the end of the War, as well as in 1931, three years after leaving Wycliffe, and was a Welsh international. Contrary to school rules, of course, John conducted clandestine bicycle trips up to Minchinhampton to play golf.
Indeed, after leaving Wycliffe, he became a very accomplished and competitive golfer. He captained his club at Pennard and was club vice president. Indeed, he had the distinction of a hole in one on two consecutive competitive days. He qualified as a Royal and Ancient Golf Referee at St Andrews. Whilst modest, he maintained a strong competitive edge, which might well have been evident in his rugby at school.
He further followed in his father’s footsteps in qualifying as a solicitor and joining his father in general practice in Swansea after serving articles in London. He maintained the firm’s name, Davies Ingram & Harvey, and its ethos. He worked until shortly before his death.
Indeed, he was further indebted to his father for the introduction to his future wife, Janice. He met her when she was working in his father’s office. They married in 1963 and had two daughters, Elizabeth and Anna.
Alongside the law and golf, apart from being a keen rugby follower, he was deeply involved in local charitable work. He was chairman and secretary for the local Round Table, and twice president of the local Rotary Club. He had a strong sense of duty.
