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John Alfred Hammond

1935-2009

Written by his wife Judith:

John attended Framlingham College as a day boy from 1946 – 1952, he left after completing his A/O levels. Getting to school was not easy and involved a long bicycle ride and then a bus journey. This meant very long days but it did set a pattern for the rest of his life – John never complained about travelling by any means necessary.

As with most men of his age, John had to complete his National Service. He joined the Royal Air Force and when in Germany used his spare time to travel widely. Previously he had started work as a Meteorologist and he continued with this in the RAF. After National Service John decided he would like to teach and so set about identifying a suitable place to study. The College of St Mark and St John in Chelsea was his choice and he was offered a place there. John also had to obtain ‘A’ levels as he had left Framlingham before taking them. After gaining a Certificate in Education, he taught Biology at Emanuel School in London, in addition to studying in the evenings to gain a BSc. He entered into most school activities – umpiring sports, taking the boys on trips abroad and becoming a House Master. In addition he was involved with the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme and amongst other activities he joined expeditions to the Hebrides and to Svartisen in the Arctic Circle. Despite being very happy at Emanuel School John decided to move on and in 1965 he successfully applied for a post at Homerton College, Cambridge in the Biological Science Department. Apart from lecturing, he played hockey in Cambridge and served on many local committees.

This was the start of a wonderful time at Cambridge. He was soon Head of Department, then Head of Sciences and eventually was appointed as Senior Tutor which was the position he held until his retirement. Along the way John was awarded a MEd, and MPhil. Being a scientist he took his students on many field trips including those to Devon and Norway. The contacts he made during these trips continued well into John’s retirement. During this period John also took up golf which he enjoyed very much.

Before he died, to John’s extreme pleasure, he was made an Emeritus Fellow of Homerton College.

Although John had a busy professional life, he was very much a family man; his family and many friends greatly mourn his passing.

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