LEGIO SECVNDA AVGVSTA In Memory of John Davies. |
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I knew John through his love of The Who, I was one of the organisers of the last two Who Conventions held in 2003 and 2006, John supplied the art that we used on the 2006 programme cover and also posters we had for sale. http://www.zyworld.com/GEORGEJONESENGSERVICES/John_Davis_Home.htm Ron John (the Artist) Davies. He came, He saw, He conquered! A man of true value, worth and humour. I will miss him. During the week end at Chedworth we kept his box out ready for him. I felt the loss when I carried it back to the van not used. But his legacy will live on in us! May God bless you and keep you, especially in beer and fags! Thanks Andy Andrew Viney (Optio Leg II Avg) My name is Trevor Penn, or as John called me (and me him) Dear Boy! I first met John at a Who convention at the Astoria on Charing Cross road several years ago, ever since that moment John was always the person I would 1st contact when anything regarding The Who came up, what a memory for information, what an amazing talented guy, what a wonderful friend, I only found out about his passing from a close friend of Johns, Paul Kelly a week after it happened, Paul had difficulty tracking me down as I have moved about three times since the new year. The shock of what he told me has shaken me to the core, I cant believe whats happened, I'm sure all who new him feel the same, I also believe like me that everyone has the same question...... Why John? No doubt I will be meeting some of you at the funeral, I just wish it was John introducing us and under different circumstances. See Me, Feel Me, Touch Me, Heal Me. Rest soundly Dear Boy I was saddened to read of John’s death. He was one of the “characters” of the reenactment scene; “characters” in the best sense. My memories are of a guy who would always make you welcome; the dirtiest set of nails to claw a fag and the pint we shared with John PJ and others of the Augusta at Ribchester last year. He will be a hard act to follow. This too following the death of that other veteran Douglas. I am sure that PJ Bernard Tim and Anthony join with me in saying a last sad Vale to John as he passes into the shades. Derek Forrest ESG Hello I have sent a small note of condolence previously, however I have made two small blog entries regarding John on my home site here: http://www.unrv.com/forum/index.php?automodule=blog&blogid=19& If you wish to link via your site I would be honoured, secondly I hope I have been accurate in my descriptions, sadly I had only just made John's acquaintence so I was overwhelmed with information and may be mistaken in some of my comments. John Trenor I could not believe the news - I was a member of the group for a short while and know the gap that has been left by the quiet gentle John. His knowledge always amazed me. I know you will all miss him terribly - love to you all at this difficult time. Trish x The first time I got talking to John at kalgriese in 2003 we both went 'small world, another Scooter riding Mod, a committed Christian and a Roman reenactor in one'. Like him I did not expect to meet another. Though I only met him on a couple of events his warmth shone through. He is in my prayers as well as the two injured with him. We will meet again.....just not yet. Titas Flavius Justus, COH I BAT, Roman Military Reasearch Society. Minty the Mod. It was with great sadness that I learned of John's passing. I knew him as one of the stalwarts of Legio Secunda Augusta, a dependable veteran. He was ever-present and one of the first to arrive at our annual event, always performing with huge enthusiasm. And he was only too pleased to share his vast knowledge with the public, whom he really appreciated at Ribchester. John was a friendly, kind and thoughtful gentleman who always showed his support for our Museum. He will be sadly missed by myself and all those connected with our Roman weekend. On behalf of Ribchester Museum Trust I would like to offer our condolences to all who knew him. Patrick Tostevin Ribchester Museum Trust To Legio secunda Augusta Accept my heartfelt sympathy Ria Teunisse John was one of the first people I met when I joined Leg II, and like everyone else in the group I find it almost impossible to believe that I won’t be seeing him or talking to him anymore. John was such an amazing person, so knowledgeable, witty, talented, kind and above all a great friend. This last week I have been thinking about all the times we shared and fun we had, but every time I do I feel such a great pain in my heart it is almost too much too bear. I feel privileged to have known John and shared so many special experiences with him over the last 4 years. His legacy will live on in his artwork but also in all our collective memories. God bless you John. Claire Just to say how shocked and saddened we all are with John's passing, a great mate and companion. When I first met John I was hiding around the back of a tent in full armour having the customary Roman Fayre a quick cigarette and a mug of tea, he came around the back of the tent and said "Aah, I was just perusing and noticed an offering to Isis billowing out from the back of the Contiburnium, have you got a spare fag I'm desperate"? and our friendship blossomed from that day hence. We used to have some great chats and share many jokes. I was always the cheeky one, he would look down his nose at me and say "Timothy!" God bless you John Tim Julie Tanya and Amy Like many of us John befriended me when I joined Leg II Avg. He was a gentleman in the truest sense of the word. I have been abroad for the past five days. I left knowing that he was in Hospital and unlikely to recover but I hoped that there would be good news on my return. Sadly that was not to be. My last memories of John are as my passenger on the return from Dover after the Bavay event. That memory will always stay with me. Rest easy John Gary Bezant I got to know John through a passion we both shared: The Who. Whenever he was over in the Archeon in Holland with the Legio Secvnda Avgvsta we would try and meet up for dinner and some drinks. I got to know him as a wonderful, modest and kind person. My sincere condoleances to all his friends. He will be missed. -- Hans van der Maarel I was very sad to hear that John had died, but glad that I had the good fortune to have made his acquaintence , however briefly. My condolences to his family and friends. John Trenor Although he was my hard-bitten Optio, I was also privileged to call John a friend. We would often have a beer or two together during the numerous ferry crossings that took us to another land and another show. He was a quiet and unassuming man who had a vast and unfathomable knowledge of his subject. A lot of it would go over my head, but then I am only a humble auxiliaryman who is content to be blissfully ignorant of all things scientific! I was a great admirer of his artwork, however, and would look forward to seeing his latest creation born from his time at Archeon. Who can forget Tiberius' face when he was presented with his new shield? Like most of us, re-enactment was a big part of Johns life. Just as he was a big part of ours. Here are three gems that I will always hear John saying ( or shouting! ) as he tried desperately to install a fragment of discipline into the unruly mob that were his auxiliaries... " Auxilia.....PUGNATE! " " Adrian, are you listening? " " Which way are you going, Ross? " I don't know what we are going to do without you, mate. Wherever you are now, I hope the beer is cold and the sun is shining. Zane Green, Colchester Roman Society. i had not known john for long and i cannot say that i knew him well. we attended many Roman shows together and the conversations we did share showed his passion for the society and roman history. we were all gathered together when we recieved the news of John, Dave and Clare having been in an accident on the way to the event at Chedworth. Many were visibly shaken and some reduced to tears. as john would have wanted, we all carried on with the event with our thoughts invariably returning to john's condition. On Sunday we knew that John's condition was terminal and it was only a matter of time. On Sunday evening, as we were breaking down the buildings and packing everything away, we were still awaiting news of John. David and Carol had been recalled to the Hospital and we all were anxious for news. At this point I came across a box marked "John Artist" and as i slowly looked around at the array of equipment and part dismantled buildings, i picked out the shield i'd seen John painting at Archeon last year and the walls of the bathhouse he painted in February. There were dozens of memories of john and conversations we'd had that had slipped from my mind into the hussle and bussle of our weekend events. I smiled. I would ask all members, everytime the buildings are assembled and the kit laid out, have a look for john, his touch is everywhere.He is with us for as long as we repeat his phrases with pride, ...."they wore trouserssssssss"and admire his handiwork. Spare a smile for his memory rather than a tear. Big Steve "Severus" Ludus Gladitorius Even now, just days after his death, it is still very easy to smile when one thinks of John. With his sharp wit, eloquence, intelligence, artistic skills, roll ups, inability to march in step and somewhat unique dress sense, John was something special. John has left us a rich legacy not only in the form of his wonderful artworks, but from our shared memories of him. He will be sorely missed. Amongst a society of extroverts, introverts, eccentrics and all kinds of weird and wonderful people, it takes something special to stand out… and John definitely stood out!! So here’s to you John, a good man, and a kind friend to us all. Tim Edwards I would like to add a few words from myself and my fiancé Ian. We only really got to know John over the past few months when he joined Basingstoke Scooter Club. He was a quiet and unassuming man and we since found out he had a passion for the roman era. He will be sadly missed by us and we’d like to add our condolences to those that also knew John much better than we did. Mandy Auvache and Ian Hurford we at the "colchesters" all have great memories of john the artist,his interest of all things rome.the wise cracks on parade and in the arena at archeon and the mansio.the smoke in the preatorian tent .a great auxila optio who gave very polite orders like" you lot go over there"that will do. we will miss you mate.our thoughts are with you all at augusta hail and fairwell optio and friend. gus and laura and all colchesters past and present I got to know John quite well in the three years I've been with Leg II Avg. In that time I've given him a lift to a few of our events including one of the trips to Hadrians Wall. He was a great travelling companion at anytime, his knowlede of the Roman Army was almost beyond belief and there was never a dull moment when he was around. He'll be greatly missed by us all not just myself. Terry Ridler (signifer) John was a great man and will be greatly missed. His vast knowledge and experience in no way made him an arrogant man, in fact when I was lucky enough, on occasion, to have a good long chat with him, he could often point out my misunderstanding of a subject in a way which left me feeling better for the correction. John, you left us all feeling better for having known you, there can surely be no better tribute to a mans life than that, thankyou. God bless you. Graham The first time I met John was just under a year ago during a show at the Newport Roman Villa. He was the first person in Secvnda Avgvsta I spoke to, and after a conversation about Roman art and architecture (half an hour passed like minutes), I asked him if I could join the group. During the brief time I had the pleasure of knowing john I found him to be extremely knowledgeable, and one of the kindest and most approachable people I have ever met. May he rest in peace. Mike Dowden It is very sad to have the need of remembering John; it would be so much better to be looking forward to seeing him next at Archeon. Fate is so cruel. Stella and I remember the occasion when John had to take an orange, as ammunition, down to the balista during a demonstration. Douglas admonished him, "march down in a military fashion with dignitas, this is a display" John, carried out Douglas's instuctions exactly but with the orange impaled on his pilum; Douglas was not best pleased. John's passing will leave a big hole in the group and many people's lives. Godfrey and Stella. Hi my name is Maxine Stevens I am from the Basingstoke Scooter Club, I have known John for about a year, what a lovely man he always. He always sat in the corner of the pub with his pint and rollies, he was a quiet man but once you sat and spoke to him he always had loads to say about everything! I will miss him and I am sad that I will not be able to attend this funeral as I will be on holiday but my thoughts will be with him and his friends. Being a spiritualist I hoping to hear from him soon! I wish Dave and Claire a speedy recovery. All my love and wishes John. xxxx John was one of the most exceptional people I knew and had the honor to call my friend, if I was ever explaining what my hobby was to people who didn't quite understand what I did at the weekend, I would speak of the unique and diverse nature of the members involved - John always being the first person I would proudly try to describe as our eccentric Engishman, talented artist, orator and man of vast knowledge about so many things. Now what an enormous gap he will leave behind. I will miss the little things; Cooking him a meal and being amazed that such a slight figure could manage to clear a plate with twice as much on as everyone else. Washing his roman clothes and him saying "you shouldn't do that, it's the dirt that holds it all together" The random tin of corned beef and packet of tea we would discover in his kit box at the end of the season. The tales that people told when they were recounting their experiences after staying at his house. Watching him and Pete dance to the music at Archeon and laughing so much at the sight, my ribs were hurting for ages. The hands that I held won't lift a brush again in this life and it's with a heavy heart that I say goodbye for now, I will continue to feel his presence and hear his voice at certain moments. I'm sure John would be amused to think that Molly believes he is now away with the fairies and she will be sending up a balloon to "make him happy". God bless Carol Richardson John was one of the first people I met when I joined the group. With his open friendly nature, he had a knack of making you feel welcome and his passion for Romans was inspirational. You could talk to John for hours and feel that barely minutes had passed. I really can't believe he has gone. When I think of never hearing his talk again, never chatting to him, never grabbing the comb back from the cosmetics table that he had borrowed to brush his hair forward - it just is too much to bear. I can see his face now, see his energy as he dashed round the arena. I will treasure the blue glass bowl that he used to give the Priestess who joined in his talk - I was so honoured to be part of that when he asked me. I can hear his laugh and his voice as he talked animately about the subject he knew so much about. I will forever remember his kindness and his loving nature. Well he is now with our Roman ancestors but he will be looking down on us and I have no doubt that in spirit he will be with us at every show. As we commit his body to the care of the Goddess Ceres may the Lord God Almighty (he was a committed Christian) welcome his soul. Fiona Hunter I only met John a few times at shows, but thought he was a good guy and a fellow auxillary- and we can't afford to lose troops! Thought this poem by Catullus was appropriate:- Frater, ave atque vale by Catullus Multas per gentes et multa per aequora vectus advenio has miseras, frater, ad inferias, ut te postremo donarem munere mortis et multam nequiquam adloquerer cinerem, quandoquidem fortuna mihi tete abstulit ipsum, heu miser indigne frater adempte mihi. nunc tamen interea haec, prisco quae more parentum tradita sunt tristi munere ad inferias, accipe fraterno multum manantia fletu atque in perpetuum, frater, ave atque vale Travelling over many countries and many seas I arrive at these, brother, poor offerings to the dead, that I may finally give my duty to the dead, and much for nothing address your ashes, seeing that Fortune tore you yourself away from me. Alas, sad brother unworthily taken from me. However, now in the meantime, in the old-fashioned custom of our parents, these sad duties are handed over as offering, accept them with much flowing of fraternal tears and in perpetuity, brother, hail and farewell. Regards Caballo/ Paul Cohors I Batavorum hi there my name is Mark Whitmore and i've just herd the very sad news about john or as we knew him Arther Parker I will explan, we first met John about 3 years ago you see we as in the club i was in at the time are a scooter club , did any of you know he was a bit of a mod ? think at first he thought we where a bunch of drunk's driving all over the country having fight's !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! but soon John became one of us and soon told us it was him and his roman friend's who did that. John had a half cropped green jacket he wore at club meeting's hence the nick name arther parker. John was one of the good guy's in life and i for one will miss his roman nose , rest in peace John , Whitters x I first met John when I joined the group back in 1995, he was always a person that I could talk freely with, very knowledgeable and one of the best type of members that you could have in a group, always there to talk, you could have a good laugh with him and he had a real passion for what he did. He always liked to see my Ponies when I could attend with them, and we had the same thoughts about wearing trousers, he will be missed by many. Nigel Apperley (Cavalry) To Legio secunda Augusta Accept my heartfelt sympathy Ria Teunisse On behalf of the Antonine Guard may I offer our deepest condolences on the tragic loss of John Davies. Although I did not meet John some of our fellow members including John Richardson and Andrew Comerford knew him quite well and regarded him in the highest esteem, I am sure he will be a great loss to the world of Roman re-enactment. Also please pass on our best wishes to Dave and Clare for a speedy recovery Bene Facis L. Valerius Secundas Vexillarius Legio VI VIC PF The Antonine Guard http://www.theantonineguard.org.uk/ Regards Joe Witcombe John, I will really miss you. Your knowledge always amazed me. Your talent as an artist was superb. You were everybody's friend. Rest in peace. Shirley, Open Letters from Dave Richardson and Dave Galvin. JOHN DAVIS or as we all new him John "artist" was officially pronounced dead at 9.45am today, Monday 24th July. John was travelling as a passenger with Dave(the horse) and Dave's partner, Clair to the event at Chedworth Roman Villa this past weekend when they were involved in a head on collision with another vehicle around 8. 30am on Saturday morning. Dave and Claire suffered severe seat belt bruising to chest and hips and John suffered severe internal injuries. From the scene of the accident until his death John did not regain consciousness. John was one of the longest serving members of Leg II Avg and was conspicuous by his attendance at every single event - he finished his time as Optio of Auxiliaries and will now be more conspicuous by his absence and the absence of the dead "skunk" he wore on his helmet ( a crest I threatened to loose in transit so many times). John was hugely talented in so many ways and his legacy will be seen and felt for a long time to come especially in the art work he left behind for us. Though a very private person John had three great "loves" that I new of, The Basingstoke Scooter Club, Romans and his Church. John had no living relatives that we know of, his friends were his family - he once said "you can't pick your family but you can pick your friends!" and he picked all of us. There is so much more that could be said but I am sure others will do that - John will be quite irreplaceable and we shall all miss him greatly - goodbye to a talented, knowledgeable, gentle man and a great friend. We must also spare thoughts and a prayers for David and Claire who narrowly escaped the same fate - they too loved John dearly. Dave Richardson - LEG II AVG I would often offer a lift to Artist John moreso as we live very close to stations that are served by Reading (john's workplace). Friday night was no different and I collected him from Swindon at 6.20 pm, taking him back to our house as we had no plans to travel the short distance to Chedworth that evening. Clare and I have just moved house and were catching up with ourselves as well as having to feed our horses. The arrangement was that we would leave a little earlier in the morning and travel the 40 odd miles in approximately one hour. John being John wanted to get there Friday due to having to set up his display Saturday morning but was cajouled into coming back to a bed and meal for the night. The three of us then spent Friday evening chewing the cud and looking forward to the show. Chedworth was a big favourite of his and we would make the most of the short walk to Chedworth village to have a meal and a drink in the evening. Saturday morning we left home at 8.15 am stopping to buy some milk, tea bags and sugar, John being especially fussy over a bottle of extra virgin olive oil to keep his armour sound when he was reunited with it. We then headed out towards Swindon along the same road that we had travelled the night before and a road I have to use often. It is a roman road, very straight but with dangerous hollows in it in places. As we travelled along, John and I discussed a find of a roman mansio building just to one side of the road in what is known as the Og valley. Clare sat in the back behind John. It was rising out of one of these hollows that I said to John " What's he up to ?" Turning right in front of us was a black car driving across our path. There wasn't anytime to break, swerve and nowhere to go. It was a side on collision. Whilst waiting for the emergency services I was conscious of how many cars had backed up behind the car that had turned into our path possibly indicating that he had been waiting a short while and chose to go. A truck driver behind him had seen it as unavoidable. John was conscious briefly before being airlifted to the Great Western hospital in Swindon. His immediate injuries concerned loss of blood from a severed kidney and unconsciousness. The kidney they took out and therefore stopped the internal bleeding. His head injuries were too far advanced for recovery and John was pronounced brain dead on Sunday evening at about 6 pm. Clare and I have extensive bruising to our chests and shoulders and pelvis. This is where the force of the collision tightened the belts. I also was protected by an air bag inflating. John's upper torso bore none of these bruises indicating that he either wasn't wearing the seat belt properly or that he was flung from it. The damage to his liver was as a result of his lower abdomen being twisted around. It is possible that the head injuries were as a consequence of massive whiplash although there was no evidence of him having hit his head. John also tended to travel with his body angled to the direction that the car was going. Throughout his treatment in the Great Western he was well cared for and was at peace. I'm not a religious man but I have lost one of my closest friends in the group and will have to live with the manner of his parting for many years. I replay in my mind what we could of done differently to have avoided the accident yet it can't bring him back. Wherever you are John, may your God rest your soul. By writing this I hope that I have answered many questions that some of you as John's friends may have as the funeral and his ultimate leaving us will be here quickly. As a final tribute to a man of enormous courage and loyalty I would like to offer you some of my memories :- " and they were wearing TROUSERS ...................." " Ladies and Gentlemen, behold the might of Rome. (after a pause) If we're lucky, we might behold Rome ..........." " and we conquered them too, we took Babylon .............." " ah, I thought I heard the kettle ............." I hope that you all share in John's memories. A big thank you to Dave and Carol for reacting so quickly to my calls Saturday morning. John as most will know was an only child but with a million friends. Dave Horse. |
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