Part 2 (Obituaries) - King's College - University of Cambridge

Once again the offer of a senior position was withdrawn because of
disapproval of John’s politics, but fortunately this view was not shared at
Willshaw, the Manchester bookshop, which he was invited to manage. John
was a plump, genial man with a twinkling smile, always concerned for the
welfare of the underdog and with a natural suspicion of authority.
In 1968 John and Maureen, together with their two daughters, left
Manchester for King’s Lynn where they started their own bookshop, which
was officially opened by Sir Allen Lane. They subsequently opened another
branch and had another child, but after 12 years a massive increase in rent and
rates contributed to their bankruptcy. John joined EP Publications inYorkshire
and Maureen studied for a degree. The couple separated and then divorced,
but remained friends.
EP was taken over and John moved on to Austick’s of Leeds as Publicity
Manager.Although he generally enjoyed organising signing sessions, Margaret
Thatcher could have been the exception.
On retirement John moved to live in a bungalow at the Booksellers’ Retreat in
King’s Langley where he became popular with fellow residents and involved
himself with the Local History Society and council politics.These helped him
to bear the death of his elder daughter, Rosie, a social worker.
In April 2004 John was diagnosed as suffering from cancer of the pancreas.
He declined treatment, discharged himself from hospital and returned home
where for eight weeks he was cared for by his family and visited by his
friends. Lucid and cheerful almost to the end, John faced death with admirable
dignity. He died on 23 June.
LANCELOT FRANK LEE PYMAN (1929) was a member of the consular
service who held numerous postings during his career. Lancelot was born
in Sidcup on 8 August 1910 and was educated at Dover College before
coming to King’s as an Exhibitioner. He read History and played hockey and
Fives for the College.
189
OBITUARIES