John Crathorne

Published on:
Jun 29, 2026

Share

• Share
• Tweet

John Crathorne (C3 1942-47) died in February this year, aged 96.  Born in Wiltshire, he was happily educated at Marlborough College, benefitting particularly from encouraging introduction to both History and Classical music that stayed with him throughout his life. He sang with the Choral Society and enjoyed all sports in particular Hockey, Cricket and Rugby (captaining the 2^nd XV).  He headed up the Cadet Force, became a Prefect and left school both a County and State Scholar.  He also won a direct scholarship to Trinity Hall Cambridge (’49 -’53), where he read History having served his ‘National Service’ with 45 Field Regiment, Royal Artillery from 1947 to 1949, as the last intake of War Service.

The majority of his career was spent as a schoolmaster, first at Cranleigh School, and then for ten years in prep schools, rising to be Headmaster of Dorset House, West Sussex. From 1966 he taught at the Royal Grammar School Guildford (RGS) for the next 30 years, starting when it was still a State-endowed grammar school.  He was the Officer Commanding the School’s CCF and ran the Shooting for 20 years. Under John’s stewardship, the RGS shooting team won all the major schoolboy rifle shooting competitions. He was Chairman of the CCRS and the School’s Commandant for the NRA for 10yrs during his long affiliation with Bisley Ranges, Surrey.

John was a true gentleman, always impeccably dressed on his visits as a supporter behind the firing-point and at gatherings of past-pupils.  He had a deep-thinking approach both to his contributions to debates and the delivery of verbal commentary, entirely befitting to an erudite and humane school-master.  He always had a smile, whatever the outlook, weather or social, and was entertaining company.

A man of integrity, his consistent Christian faith underpinned his career and family life throughout.  With a keen intellect and informed love of music, knowledge and nature, he will be remembered for the enduring, positive impact that he had on the lives of so many people during his long and full life.