The Old Bordenian Association

We very much regret to announce the death on 13th March 2010 of John Lifton.  He was at Borden from 1939 to 1945, and spent much of his life in New Zealand where, despite the geographical handicap, he remained an enthusiastic Member of the Association. 

Some Members may remember that he made a special point of attending the 2008 Annual Dinner, where this photograph was taken. 

We also show here a letter which appeared in the 2004 Maroon, and which mentions some of his interests and achievements.  Our sincere sympathies go to his widow, Wendy, and two daughters

Extracts from a letter written by John Lifton which appeared in the 2004 Maroon:

As obituaries of school friends appear in each edition of the Maroon, I suddenly realise that I have become a genuine old boy of the School. I count myself very fortunate to have been educated at Borden Grammar School and will always be grateful for the wise education that I received from a range of dedicated and gifted teachers.

Although my career as a veterinary surgeon had a fairly narrow focus, the wide range of subjects taught to me encouraged a broad interest in later life. I am still a francophone and francophile – thanks in no small measure to Jimmy Howard. I have also retained a great interest in history – thanks to Herbie Highton.

Although I did fairly well in the school certificate examination, with credits in eight out of nine subjects, I did not mature until I had gained farm experience at the Kent Farm Institute (the original BGS), and had two years abroad in the RAMC (I couldn’t get into the RAVC). I could have entered the Royal Veterinary College in 1945 had a place been available. As it was, I finally gained a place (without an interview), after worrying the life out of the registrar!

I had nursed a burning ambition to become a veterinary surgeon from eight years of age. I was fortunate enough to be granted a “special exhibition” by the KEC – as a result of gaining honours in the first professional examination at the RVC at the end of the first year, which sustained me for the rest of the course. George Hardy wrote a testimonial for me, saying “He does not appear to have wavered from his intention in the slightest” – although in all honesty he could not praise my academic record in the sixth form!

I worked in a mixed practice in Gloucester for five years before accepting a position in New Zealand to look after 10,000 dairy cows in the Waikato, the dairy centre of the Country. After my contract expired, I set up in private practice in West Auckland where I eventually employed two other veterinarians. I changed to exclusive companion-animal practice as urbanisation excluded farm animals.

During my career, I was elected member of the Council of the New Zealand Veterinary Association, for two stints of four years and became president of both the Auckland Branch and the National Companion Animal Society. I was also appointed liaison officer with the RSPCA. In 1971 I was honoured by being granted foundation membership of a specialist group, the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists.

My interest in amateur dramatics has persisted. I was never good at team sports at School. Frank Horlock in my one of my school reports said I had “average ability but was rather tiresome”. However, I have since maintained fitness with jogging, bash tramping (sic) and scuba diving.

Wendy and I travelled to New Zealand by sea with two and a half children on a six-week voyage before the advent of routine air travel. Emigration was a difficult enterprise for us, but how much worse it must have been for those early settlers. I still regard the Isle of Sheppey as my home and BGS as the school which gave me my values and skills to enjoy a worthwhile life and professional career.

John Lifton

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