Hunter, John Hardwicke Cuthbert
A correspondent writes: Wing Commander John H.C. Hunter, who died in Ceylon in August, was well known to amateur wireless enthusiasts throughout the world. Born in 1913, he was educated at Wellington and at King’ s College, London, and while at school took up, as a hobby, that work in his career and war service were to lie. After leaving King’ s College he entered the service of the B.B.C. and held the post of station engineer. In February, 1939, he joined the RAFVR, and was called up shortly before the outbreak of war. After a period as duty signals officer he was transferred to Fighter Command, where part of his work was the improvement of wireless communication in fighter aircraft for which he was mentioned in despatches. Later he was posted to the Telecommunications Branch of the Air Ministry, with the rank of Squadron Leader. Having been promoted wing commander, he was posted in November, 1943, to the staff of the South East Asia Command, on which he was serving at the time of his death. Hunter was a prominent member of the Radio Society of Great Britain and of other amateur radio associations. An exceptionally open and cheerful disposition made for him, within as well as outside those bodies, a large circle of friends and acquaintances who found much enjoyment in his company at his home, at international gatherings in England and abroad, and as a travelling companion: they will miss him greatly. He married in 1938, Iris, daughter of the late Albert Cathles, of Blackheath and had a son and daughter. The Times 29/09/1945
Biographical
| Surname(s) | Hunter |
|---|---|
| First name(s) | John Hardwicke Cuthbert |
| Date of birth | 28 July 1913 |
| Family details | Son of John Charles Gordon and Evelyn Mary Hunter; husband of Iris Ada Hunter. Home address, Hunstanton, Norfolk |
| Previous education | Wellington College |
| College | King's College London and/or King's College London Hospital |
| Dates at college | 1930-1934 |
| Dept / course | Faculty of Engineering |
| Qualifications | B.Sc. Lond. |
| Military unit | Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve |
| Date enlisted | 1939 |
| Service number | 72862 |
| War / conflict | World War Two (1939-1945) |
| Decorations / medals | Mentioned in Despatches |
| Date of death | 18/08/1945 |
| Age at death | 32 |
| Rank at death | Wing Commander |
| Place of death | Ceylon |
| Cause of death | Died on active service |
| Burial place | Kandy War Cemetery |
| Commemoration(s) | King’ s College Chapel |
| Sources | King’ s College London Archives, Commonwealth War Graves Commission; The Times |