CH13. Brass plate
Dedicated to JOHN SHEPHERD / 1917 – 2003 / Life long service to God / and the community of St John’s / Also his devoted wife / FLORENCE MARJORIE SHEPHERD / 1905 – 1994.
A brass plaque under a stained glass window in memory of John and Marjorie Shepherd (1917-2003 & 1905-1994 respectively). John was a loyal and faithful servant to St John’s, having held the offices of Treasurer and Churchwarden for many years. Marjorie was also a hardworking member of St John’s and was a stalwart of the Flower Guild and Cleaning team.
There are several generations of Shepherds buried in the churchyard, and as far as I am aware, they were all farmers living at Hubbards Farm near Merrimans Corner. In the 1851 census John’s Grandfather, also called John, farmed 180 acres employing 14 labourers. It is interesting to note that nearby there was a farm called Merrimans and a farm called Little London, quite a rural area back then! Ken Pearce’s book “Hillingdon Village” shows a photo of of a very young John with his twin brother George, and younger sister Elsie helping with the harvest.
The barn of Hubbards Farm is still standing and has been converted into luxury apartments in recent years.
Christine Bartlett