Memorial service for a man who engineered Haverhill
Monday, 16th April 2012.
Family and friends of the late Frederick G ‘Johnny’ Johnson gathered just before Easter for a memorial service, following his death two months ago at the age of 93.
He was Haverhill’s chief engineer and surveyor at the time of the former urban district council and throughout the critical stages of the town’s pioneering expansion scheme.
‘Johnny’ Johnson moved to Haverhill from Clevedon in Somerset in 1965 and worked closely alongside the team from architects, Sir Frederick Gibberd and Partners, the firm tasked with developing a master plan for Haverhill.
A man of great integrity, ‘Johnny’ is remembered particularly for his efforts to persuade developers and the council of the time to reduce the planned high density of housing in estate areas of the town.
He pressed to retain as much green space as possible, including open parkland and amenities such as football pitches and also expressed strong views about the need to anticipate adequate infrastructure needs as the town grew.
A keen golfer, he was one the prime movers in the establishment of Haverhill’s golf course at The Couples. He was also a prominent member of Haverhill Rotary.
Growing up in East Ham and beginning his engineering career before the war in Leyton, he was a successful sportsman – and had a personal empathy with the areas from which many of Haverhill’s overspill ‘newcomers’ had moved to the town.
He achieved a distinguished record during the war, serving in the 85th Field Company Royal Engineers.
He landed on Juno Beach on D-Day 1944 and, following subsequent campaigns, including around the Seine, he was awarded the Croix de Guerre with Silver Star by the French. Before he ended his military service, he served as a captain with the Indian Army Training Unit.
‘Johnny’ retired in 1974, when the functions of Haverhill’s council were absorbed into the St Edmundsbury Borough.
He continued to live in Withersfield until recent years, when he moved to Radlett in Hertfordshire, to be closer to his devoted family.
He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Betty, twin daughters Barbara and Trish and their families.
He was Haverhill’s chief engineer and surveyor at the time of the former urban district council and throughout the critical stages of the town’s pioneering expansion scheme.
‘Johnny’ Johnson moved to Haverhill from Clevedon in Somerset in 1965 and worked closely alongside the team from architects, Sir Frederick Gibberd and Partners, the firm tasked with developing a master plan for Haverhill.
A man of great integrity, ‘Johnny’ is remembered particularly for his efforts to persuade developers and the council of the time to reduce the planned high density of housing in estate areas of the town.
He pressed to retain as much green space as possible, including open parkland and amenities such as football pitches and also expressed strong views about the need to anticipate adequate infrastructure needs as the town grew.
A keen golfer, he was one the prime movers in the establishment of Haverhill’s golf course at The Couples. He was also a prominent member of Haverhill Rotary.
Growing up in East Ham and beginning his engineering career before the war in Leyton, he was a successful sportsman – and had a personal empathy with the areas from which many of Haverhill’s overspill ‘newcomers’ had moved to the town.
He achieved a distinguished record during the war, serving in the 85th Field Company Royal Engineers.
He landed on Juno Beach on D-Day 1944 and, following subsequent campaigns, including around the Seine, he was awarded the Croix de Guerre with Silver Star by the French. Before he ended his military service, he served as a captain with the Indian Army Training Unit.
‘Johnny’ retired in 1974, when the functions of Haverhill’s council were absorbed into the St Edmundsbury Borough.
He continued to live in Withersfield until recent years, when he moved to Radlett in Hertfordshire, to be closer to his devoted family.
He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Betty, twin daughters Barbara and Trish and their families.
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