John Farr's Memorial Service

The photograph below  depicts John  rowing in a Beaumont VIII. Probably not at that time the first VIII as John (number 5) and the others in the crew looked rather younger than 18 so were probably in  syntax when the picture was taken.

Having been advised by John's children not to attempt driving to St Anne's Kew for John's memorial service, the Underground from Wimbledon to Kew Gardens seemed the best route to take. Unfortunately upon arriving at Wimbledon Station, both sections of the District Line were down owing to 'an incident' so I took a South Western Railway train to Kew Bridge.

Kew Bridge Station turned out to be only a few minutes walk from the Coach and Horses pub, where  a table for lunch before the memorial service, had been reserved for few of us from John's Beaumont year.

Including  the wives of some, there were nine of us and despite the reason for our meeting together, a convivial meal was shared by  us all.

Afterwards we gathered at St Anne's with a crowd of I would guess, of up to 400 people. In any event the church was packed perhaps with many from John's professional firm of Herbert Smith Freehills.

One speech concentrated on John's professional life but for me the talks by John's youngest children, Emily and her brother Henry, were the most interesting. Emily even mentioned  the time John and I travelled together, for example in Egypt, see Egypt c.1973

Meeting some of John's friends and colleagues who I had not seen for years, was fascinating too. Martin Milmo and Caroline for example, who years ago before John had married, shared with others, a flat in Pimlico in the same London SW1  square as my old office. 

Chatting to all of John's children was interesting too. 

The reception in Kew Gardens Nash conservatory was excellent but the time soon flowed by. 

I decided to  risk returning by London Underground upon the basis that the earlier 'incident' would surely be over. The long walk through Kew Gardens to Victoria Gate was delightful not least because the Gardens were by then, almost devoid of other visitors. 

I eventually reached Kew Gardens Station and was pleased to find that the District Line to Wimbledon had  by then, reopened.