18-07-2025
'Gentle, kind and caring' WW2 engineer dies aged 102
Tributes have been paid to a "gentle, kind and caring" Second World War engineer after he passed away aged 102.
Dad-of-two John Tatham died at Watford General Hospital on July 4, having lived in Croxley Green since 1957.
His son David told the Watford Observer that John was a "true gentleman" with a "wonderfully dry sense of humour", who counted music and football among his passions.
On his fond memories of his father, David recalled that "his smile lit up even the coldest room".
John with David. (Image: Bethany Tathum.) He was an electronics engineer in the Royal Armouries Ordinance Core between 1942 and 1945 and was awarded the 1934-1945 War Medal for his service.
A late in life adopter of the violin, he was a founder member of the Bushey Symphony Orchestra and performed at their 50th anniversary concert earlier this year.
When it came to football, he followed a number of teams in the North East where he was born before moving to Croxley Green, later adopting Watford as one of his teams before his son grew up as a Hornet.
John Tatham (Image: Bethany Tatham) In recent years he was a particular fan of the women's game, enthusing that - unlike their male counterparts - players "score goals and do not just roll around on the floor".
John married wife Marcia in 1964 and the couple had two children - David and Sarah - as well as grandchildren Bethany, Daniel and Owen.
John on his wedding day. (Image: Bethany Tathum) Bethany told the Watford Observer that "grandad's hugs were the best hugs".When proposing to Marcia, he told her: "If you marry me, I will always look after you."
Crosswords, listening to swing jazz, amateur film-making and mending other people's electronic goods made up John's other hobbies.
John was an engineer during WW2. (Image: Bethany Tatham)Speaking to the Watford Observer in 2022 for a piece to mark his 100th birthday, he said: "I just got on with life, I never complained, things were difficult."
(Image: Bethany Tathum) He was an incredibly healthy man, with son David noting that the only time he was ever in an ambulance was being transported to Watford General on the day he died.
John's funeral is to be held at West Herts Crematorium on July 23 at 3.30pm.
John on his 102nd - and final - birthday. (Image: Bethany Tathum)
John as a baby being pushed in a pram. (Image: Bethany Tatham)
