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John Capper SH47
John Halford Capper (SH47) John was born in Harrow, Middlesex, in October 1929. At the outbreak of the Second World War, he and his brother, Brian, were sent to board at Gorse Cliff School, Boscombe. John then moved on to Canford in 1943, joining School House.
A large collection of letters written to his parents portrays school life at Canford. These largely feature news on the sporting scene; squash, fives, cricket, hockey, rugger, and bathing in the river – with very little mention of academic work. Several of these letters finish with the plea ‘running very low on jam’ or requests for syrup.
On leaving Canford in 1947, John studied medicine at University College Hospital for five years, followed by medical and surgical house jobs in St Albans. There, he fell in love with Ruth, a staff nurse, and they married in 1955.
John still had to complete his army service as an officer in the Royal Army Medical Corps and was posted to Hong Kong. After three years, the couple moved back to England, settling in St Albans, where John joined a GP practice, becoming a well-known figure in the course of his working life as he cycled around town on his home visits.
They had four children, and eventually many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Outside work he enjoyed mountain hikes and photography – including developing and printing his own photos. On retirement, he continued his love of these hobbies, enjoying several epic cycling trips, up until he was disabled by a stroke in 2011.
John died peacefully in January 2023. He had a strong Christian faith and was ready to meet his maker and be reunited with Ruth.
