John H. Guilmant (1914-2007)

Born at Gravesend in June 1914, John Guilmant's parents moved to Southampton in 1916. He gained a scholarship to King Edward VI School, Southampton (1925-1932) where he gained school colours in Athletics, as well as Rugby and Hockey. He joined Southampton Athletic Club in 1932, competing in middle-distance events, before going to college. He suffered appendicitis and had to give up running till the war. He joined the R.A.F. and during that time ran for his Command, before entering the University to study Japanese and become an Intelligence Officer in the Far East.

Returning to Southampton, he became Schools Representative on the County Executive Committee and remained in office for the next forty years, first undertaking Championships Secretary, then Minuting Secretary, Vice Chairman and Chairman till 1976, when he became Assistant Secretary and then Secretary in 1977. He was elected a Vice President in 1958 and a Life Vice President in 1982. He represented the County on the Southern Counties A.A.A. for seven years and was our representative on the Hampshire Playing Fields Committee. He was a Grade I Referee and Grade 2 Field Judge and officiated at many International events from 1963. A County Starter and Tug of War judge, he assisted the county in so many ways during his period of office. He was at one time President of Southampton and Eastleigh A.C..

A former Headmaster, he was a keen sportsman, qualifying in addition as a football referee and hockey umpire. His voluntary commitments covered many fields: those of youth work, as Secretary of the Youth Organisations Committee; 52 years of service in many offices in Scouting; Chairman of the City of Southampton Society (Civic Trust); and Publicity Officer for the Southampton Tourist Guides Association.