John Roth was born on 2 Jan 1921 to David and Margaret. With his brother, Martin, they lived just off Kensington High Street, West London. He went to Colet Court school in Hammersmith – then St Pauls – and became the oldest Old-Pauline by the time he died.
In September 1938 – aged 17 – he started work for his father’s Chartered Accountancy firm, Roth & Co. With the onset of war a year later, the office moved to Salisbury, where Dad then spent Monday to Friday throughout the war years. Severe asthma had stopped him joining the army, so with his Father, he supported the war effort by procuring 100,000 books & games and sending these off to Royal Navy ships to boost morale. Lady Mountbatten wrote at the time: there is no doubt that the work has been quite magnificent and deserving of the highest praise.
Dad was also in the Air Raid Precautions team, and at times stationed on a roof near St Paul’s Cathedral watching for incendiary bombs. Maybe unrelated, but in 1949 John was awarded Freedom of the City of London and hence, as a commoner could take his sheep over London Bridge.
In 1935, John’s father had bought Horton Cottage, in Martyr Worthy. The historic house was by the footbridge crossing the River Itchen, with watercress beds alongside. During the war, most weekends Dad would return to that beloved family home. In 1958, when the thatch caught fire, his father’s precious collection of books was destroyed. Home was never the same again and a few weeks later, his father died.
After the war, John was based back in London working in general accounting & audit, as well as providing company secretarial guidance & services. He travelled widely north south east & west as well as to the Channel Islands. In mid 1960s John reduced the amount he travelled, and instead focused on managing the London office, in the West End, a role he undertook until he retired in 1994, aged 73.
Back to 1945, still war time, and Dad got his 1st driving licence. 1946, John moved into a top floor room, at No 8 Eardley Crescent in Earls Court, at 4 shillings/wk. Dad often told me, Hattie Jacques was one of his neighbours. They both frequently attended the Players’ Theatre, but on opposite sides of the curtain, for she was a comedy actress; later to became matron in most of the Carry on Films. Founded in 1936, The Players’ Theatre is a Victorian style music hall. For much of 1950’s, once or twice a week, Dad would walk from Piccadilly, along The Strand to ‘The Players’ to meet his friends at 6pm, he stayed until late – enjoying a sausage roll, a drink & the show.
John met Mum on a river-boat trip, starting in Tewksbury, in 1948. They kept in contact and met up again when Mum was a GP in Colchester; Dad worked nearby one day each week and they spent time together, chaperoned by her housekeeper, Miss Russell. After quite a while, Dad’s local audit job came to an end, and therefore his work did not take him to Colchester. Mum quickly gave up her practice & headed to Fulham.
They married in February 1961. As you might imagine, Mum had organised the wedding, and all Dad had to do, was turn up! They became a devoted couple, an effective team, together for 63 years – an example of when two come together it equals one. Soon Richard – then David were born – and they lived in their flat – 84, North End House for all their married life.
Dad & Mum valued the tremendous friendship & loyalty of many neighbours. One recently described Dad as – a wonderful man, a wonderful neighbour. In years gone by, with some of their neighbours they formed a dining club with smart dress, best china and decanters of course. Mum & Dad for years & years hosted a New Years Eve supper party for a dozen neighbours.
Dad had been a member of the MCC for the last 78 years, the oldest surviving member in 2024. The MCC is the most important and active cricket club in the world & based at Lord’s Cricket Ground. This gave him access to all the cricket played there and was his pass, so often to the sound of bat on ball, to a quiet cup of tea and a little snooze. In a recent interview with their press team, John told the Club that it still remained a joy & a privilege to watch cricket at Lords, even after all these years. In the summer of 2024 he attended the first day of the Lords Test Match against the West Indies; this also included a little snooze!…
Each year John’s father David organised a charity cricket game. The date was carefully chosen, when some of the greatest cricketers were in London, playing county games. On their rest day, David invited these masters of their game to join his mixed XI; John played too, batting and bowling with Jack Hobbs, Herbert Sutcliffe and Jack Durston.
Important to Dad was his Presidency for 66 years of Easton & Martyr Worthy Cricket Club. The club was founded 78 years ago, after his father purchased the recreation ground land, ensuring that village cricket could always be played there. Dad really enjoyed his annual visit to Easton to show his support for the Club and catch up with his old friends. In an amazing twist of fate, the two cricket clubs (EMWCC and the MCC) played against each other for the first time on 1 September, 2024 – the day Dad died. It is a testament to the development and strength of EMWCC that the MCC chose to play against them.
Dad’s asthma was largely resolved with Mum’s medical knowledge, her good cooking and his cheerful, calm manner. We all know he enjoyed really good health for many, many years. Photos of Dad in his 80s needed no photoshop to show him aged just 60. He stacked the dishwasher until just a month back. He was well informed & read The Times daily until the age of 103 & half and he seldom missed the evening cricket TV highlights. Dad loved stamps and collected over many years. In January, he bought a Stanley Gibbons annual catalogue, keen to check on missing parts of his collection.
Many of you have told us how you remember Dad telling you stories, true tales from the real past. Dad was a fountain of fascinating knowledge – a full and interesting life, well lived. At a family birthday lunch a few years ago, the table listened, as he recounted his days at the office. He told that one night, they were both in bed, Mum answered the phone and passed it to him. It was 2am and his office was on fire. Since he held the keys, he got out of bed and dressed. He picked up a torch and a slab of Cadburys milk chocolate and drove to the office. Dad was seldom phased, but always calm, and thoughtful. Dad’s many loved trinkets will be a reminder of some of these stories.
John was never the public shining light, never the one who had to talk first, nor convince you that his way was best. Dad was the one who laid out the cable, so that the light could shine, he cleaned the bulb, maintained the fittings, paid the bill, and encouraged others, indeed stepping back, so that others could flick the switch, and themselves take the glory.
They say the show will go on; the lights will keep shining – and indeed it will.
I suggest though the lights will not shine quite so bright without John.
Richard and David Roth
Richard Roth will be adopted as the Club’s new President at the AGM in November.
