Isle of Wight resident John Gurney-Champion dies at 100

John was born in Taunton, Somerset, but as a child, the family moved to the Isle of Wight and lived in Clatterford Road, Carisbrooke.

His father, a solicitor, purchased the practice of Edwin Parker, who had offices in Newport and Freshwater, and continued under the name of Parker and Gurney-Champion.

John attended Westmont Primary School in Carisbrooke Road, then Ryde School, then for his final school year he attended Monkton Combe School, near Bath.

In 1939, at 16, John entered into five years Articles of Clerkship to his father. A month later the Second World War broke out.

In 1940 John sat the Solicitors’ Intermediate Examination with bombs dropping all around, but he passed.

In 1942 John was called up and spent six years in the Army, including serving with the Gurkhas. He was posted to the 3rd Queen Alexandra’s Own Gurkha Rifles in Burma where he was appointed transport officer and had under his charge a number of jeeps, trucks and mules.

After the Japanese surrender, John, now promoted to Captain, was involved in the Japanese War Crimes Trials. John was British advisory officer to the Japanese defence in Rangoon, Burma. 

He took his final law exams in March, 1949, gaining Second Class Honours, two Law Society prizes, and the Ford Prize by the Hampshire Incorporated Law Society, awarded to the best articled clerk in the county.

John was admitted as a solicitor in May 1949 and entered into partnership with his father and Paul Darch at Quay Street, Newport. John’s father died a month later, leaving John as senior partner.

A Portsmouth office was opened in April 1958 and a Southampton office in 1965.

In January 1989 John’s son Nicholas joined the firm and for many years ran the Portsmouth office.

John was conducting court cases in the county courts and in the Court of Appeal well into his 80s, and kept working as a solicitor until his death.

In June 1952, John married Elizabeth Brown. They initially lived in Newport and in 1956 moved to Standen House on Blackwater Road which remains the family home.

John and Elizabeth had six children, 15 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. Elizabeth died in July 2022, aged 96.

John was very active in Island life. He was a founder member of the Newport Round Table and a member of several ex tablers' clubs, including Vectis 41 Club and Cowes 41 Club.

John was a keen sailor and a member of the Island Sailing Club since 1952. 

John was a keen walker and for over 20 years he led walks for the Isle of Wight Walking Festival, eventually stepping down at 92.

For many years he was a member of the area council of the Island branch of the Ramblers' Association and sat on the Local Access Forum.

John was also a trustee and legal advisor of the Isle of Wight Red Squirrel Trust.

John had a great interest in music, particular of opera and church music. 

John died at the Mountbatten Hospice on April 15 after a short illness.