The May 2024 Bradfieldian made a brief announcement of John Allday’s death which occurred just before the edition went to press. I am now pleased to be able to say more about a dear friend.
John was an outstanding Bradfieldian, both at the College and as a long-time member of The Old Bradfieldian Golfing Society (OBGS). In his final year at Bradfield John represented the College 1st XI in football, hockey and cricket, a significant achievement. His innings of 210 not out v Lancing in 1957 stood as a record for over 30 years. After leaving school John became an MCC Young Cricketer and in one match missed his century at Lords when he ran himself out on 99! He also reduced his handicap to one and then played county golf for Hertfordshire.
After Bradfield, John followed his father into Barton Mayhew and qualified as a Chartered Accountant. He remained with the same firm throughout his career although he retired as a partner of what is now EY, one of the ‘Big Four’ of the accounting profession. John’s
speciality was in the valuation of companies and over the years he advised both the corporate sector and the government on privatisations, mergers and acquisitions. It is testament to his standing in the profession that he was on both Michael Heseltine’s and Margaret Thatcher’s Christmas card lists!
John played in the Halford Hewitt competition, the annual golf competition for the alumni of 64 independent schools for 24 years winning more matches than he lost. He captained the Bradfield side both as a player and more recently as a non-playing Captain. Like everything John did, his captaincy was calm, authoritative and
always reflective of each individual member of the team. Bradfield won some memorable matches, but the winners’ enclosure has eluded the team since 1927.
John was President of the OBGS for 15 years and presided over the Society with a keen eye and quiet words of encouragement. He gave unstintingly of his time to the OBGS, regularly driving from his retirement home in North Somerset to the East Kent coast, a formidable journey at the best of times. He led the Halford Hewitt team in that modest, unflashy but inspirational way typical of John being well respected by generations of OBGS members for whom he became a willing mentor to those of us who succeeded him.
In retirement, John and Leonie made their lives in a North Somerset village where John quickly became a pillar of the community. He was the trusted advisor to numerous local organisations, including the Diocese of Bath & Wells, and even took on the role of subpostmaster in the village. There were no discrepancies on his watch! John’s funeral in April was attended by what appeared to be the whole village as well as old colleagues, golfing friends and several members of the OBGS. We heard heartfelt tributes from his children, Andrew and Susannah (both OBs), as well as Leonie, who all spoke about John’s passion for sport, his wise counsel to so
many over the years and his love and support for his large
family.
A good man who will be greatly missed.
By Martin Young (C 59-64)
Former Warden
President OBGS
