Correspondent dies
at the age of 74
JOHN Drew, correspondent for The Cornish Times and Saltash Journal, died at St Luke's Hospice on October 6 at the age of 74.
John, who was born at Cadgwith in l926, joined his father in his carpenter's business on leaving school. At the age of 17 he joined the Royal Navy and served on HMS Enard, then meeting his wife Marjorie. After three-and-a-half years of service he returned to Cadgwith to become a postman, cycling 14 miles on his morning round, and going on foot on the afternoon round. He also ran the local general stores with his wife.
The couple moved to Saltash in l966 and John worked as a quality control inspector for 21 years at Fine Tubes, Estover, until he retired in l99l. He continued to be very active, writing the nature notes for the Journal, and also covering local news, including many Saltash funerals.
John had been an accredited lay preacher for the Methodist Church since l954 and still took regular services at Tamar House.
He also carried out jobs in the garden for elderly members of the church. A member of Saltash and Burraton male voice choirs and secretary of Forum Four since l99l, he was also a former member of St Germans Singers and St Keverne choir.
For many years he delivered the Saltash Journal around Saltash until becoming ill early in the summer. He leaves a widow, three children, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. The funeral will be today (Friday) at ll.30am at Saltash Wesley Church.