It is with great sadness that I am writing this tribute to John Arnold, who was very well known and loved here in St George’s Church and amongst the Friends’ and the wider St George’s community, as well as in the local community in Ypres where he lived all his life, although he was half British. He passed away in hospital on Tuesday 28th January with his wife and family by his side.

John was a tireless and committed servant of St George’s and worshipper at the church, and for many years was the church treasurer. He ensured that the church buildings were kept in good order and indeed, did much of the practical work himself including such things as going up a long ladder to clear the gutters on the church roof. He leaves a wonderful legacy of the buildings in good repair despite their age, although I have no doubt that he would have liked to have seen the replacement of the church and hall roofs, work which needs to be done before too long.

John showed me a picture of himself at around the age of 8 in the Pilgrim’s hall with other children, which proves his very long association with St George’s! His father, Sidney (a British man who had served as a soldier in the Second World War and then met & married John’s Flemish mother and settled in Ypres) became the church caretaker in 1980 and John used to help him with various practical jobs in and around the church. John had many tales to tell of the life of St George’s in those days.

Eventually, Sidney passed away in 1995 and John took over from him although he had more time to dedicate himself to the church after he retired. He was a huge support to various chaplains over the years, including Brian Llewellyn, Andrew McMullen and then myself when I arrived in post in April last year (although at that time he was starting to suffer with the effects of the cancer that would eventually take him from us). A highlight for John was receiving the Maundy Money from the late Queen Elizabeth a few years ago, which I gather he was delighted about. This was in recognition of his many years of dedicated service to St George’s.

To quote from someone who knew John well:

‘For all the time, some 20 years and more, we have been coming to St. George's, he has been abundantly kind, generous and welcoming, always going the extra mile to help us.’

John will be greatly missed by his family, friends and indeed all who knew him, and is a sad loss for St George’s. We will be holding a Thanksgiving and Memorial Service for John in due course, the date of which will be advertised here on the St George’s Website.

The leading image is from April last year and shows John with some of his many Church friends! The below is from the 90th anniversary of the opening of his beloved Church.