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John "Jack" Carter, 1922 - 2006

Obituary; Gazette & Herald, May 4th 2006

"Retired chemistry teacher John "Jack" Carter, 84, has been found dead at his Burbage home, where he lived alone.

"Mr Carter, a lifelong bachelor, was found dead at the keyboard of his computer when police went to his home on April 23.

"A nephew, his nearest relative, who lives near Southampton, had become concerned that Mr Carter's telephone was permanently engaged.

"The nephew called police who used keys left with a neighbour to get into Mr Carter's home.

"The Wiltshire coroner, David Masters, was informed of the sudden death and a post mortem examination was held. There will not be an inquest.

"The funeral will take place today at All Saints Church in Burbage at 2pm.

"At Mr Carter's personal request there will be no flowers but donations can be made to Middle East Christian Outreach c/o funeral directors Thomas Free and Son, The Parade, Marlborough.

"Mr Carter was born at Southampton where he went to Highfield Church School and Westmount prep school where he won a scholarship to Taunton's Grammar School in Southampton.

"He went to University College in Southampton although his studies were interrupted by the onset of the Second World War and he joined the RAF and served as ground crew for two years before in 1943 joining a Royal Ordnance factory as a researcher.

"Following the war he completed his university studies, gaining a certificate in education.

"He taught at Itchen Grammar School at Southampton from 1947-58 when he was appointed head of science at De Burgh School in Surrey.

"In 1962 Mr Carter decided to start a new life and emigrated to New Zealand, where he became head of chemistry at Mana College in the Auckland suburb of Porirua.

"After just eight months in New Zealand he yearned for England and returned to become assistant head of science at Brockenhurst College in the New Forest for a year.

"Mr Carter then served as head of chemistry at Sunbury Grammar School and in 1967 he became head of chemistry at the former Marlborough Grammar School, continuing in that post when it merged with the former Secondary Modern to become St John's.

"Mr Carter although his real Christian name was John everyone knew him as Jack retired from St John's in 1981.

"He continued to work as a supply teacher in primary schools and also gave private tuition to help students through their exams.

"Outside of school he ran science clubs, athletics meetings and musical appreciation groups.

"Mr Carter was a keep fit fanatic and had a private running track around his huge garden at Burbage that he used until he was well into his 70s.

"At the age of 75 Mr Carter raised money for an appeal by All Saints at Burbage by completing 50 laps of a roller skating course.

"He organised and led many skiing trips for grammar school and St John's students.

"In his later years he was introduced to computing and sent e-mail communications all around the world.

"He was a deeply devout Christian and regularly wrote to world leaders expressing his concern at the suffering in Third World Countries.

"His entire estate has been left to Middle East Christian Outreach."