M. J. M. (John) Thompson (SH 39-43)

On the 28^th January John Thompson died at his home in Keswick aged 90. He came to St Bees School in 1939, having previously attended Keswick School in his native town. There followed military service in the Indian Army where he rose to the rank of acting major. On demobilisation in 1947, he went to Cambridge University from where he graduated with first class honours in Estate Management. While there he gained a rugby Blue in 1950. In 1952 he joined the family firm of Edwin Thompson, Chartered Surveyors, based in Keswick and subsequently rose to become the head of the firm and a nationally known figure in the profession. In that same year he married Alison, the couple subsequently having two children. In 1967 he fulfilled an ambition by taking the tenancy of a 600 acre mixed farm in Berwickshire, which he ran for the next twenty years.

He was always a keen sportsman and while playing centre for Kelso had won a Scottish Championship medal and had also represented the South of Scotland. Following this period in Scotland, he became a long-serving player with Keswick Rugby Club being a member of its outstanding teams in the 1940s and 50s. Tennis, field sports, and bridge were other special interests. He was also a keen dog lover. Tributes paid at his funeral emphasised his close family ties as well as his magnetic personality.

John was an extremely valuable member of the Board of Governors of St Bees School from 1964 to 1993 as well as serving as the school’s land agent during this period.

 

 

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