I think I will feel John’s loss so profoundly partly because he was among many older comrades whose generosity, patience and humility in friendship I value so much. The way he showed gneuine interest in how I came to socialist politics etc., listened while I probably came out with uninformed drivel and didn’t call me thick (and John could really tear a person down when he wanted to) really encouraged me to involve myself more in SWN, UAR and PBP and to contribute. He was obviously an immensely astute thinker but it was his attitude and his kindness that was most educative for me, it showed me how a revolutionary should carry themselves.

I love a good anecdote, and just today I’ve been thinking through so many of John’s stories, from witnessing events in Tahrir Square to eating Spam in Skegness. He lived a really full and interesting life and had so much to share. I hope we can regale each other with more of these tales as we mourn John