Article on page 4 of Dickon Independent issue 108

Dr John Ashdown-Hill MBE

From the Executive Committee of the Richard III Society:

“It is with sadness that we announce the passing today (18th May, 2018) of Dr John Ashdown-Hill. A prolific and popular author, John played an important, not to say critical, role in the Looking for Richard Project. It was he who tracked down Mike Ibsen, one of the two whose DNA helped to confirm that the remains in the car park were actually those of King Richard. When we first learnt of John’s illness, one could only wonder how long he had before he succumbed, motor neurone disease coming in various forms, some worse than others. For John, his passing was probably a blessing though he will be much missed by his friends and members of the Society. Our thoughts and prayers go with them all at this time. The news comes too late for the June issue of the Ricardian Bulletin but there will be a full tribute in the September issue.”

John came to talk to the branch several times and was always a welcome visitor, with his friendly manner and interesting talks, well researched. He spoke on Eleanor Talbot on 9 February 2008, on the search for Richard III on 14 June 2014, and on royal marriage secrets on 12 March 2016. He visited our stall at Tewkesbury Medieval Festival on Saturday 12 July 2014, promoting his book about Richard’s brother George. He had also been at Tewkesbury Abbey on Saturday 3 May that year signing copies of The Third Plantagenet and showing off the funeral crown he commissioned for the reburial of Richard III.

On 6 July 2017 the Richard III Society revealed he was suffering from motor neurone disease.

On 6 July 2018 at noon there was a Memorial Mass in his honour at St. James the Less, 51 Priory Street, Colchester, CO1 2QB.

Rest in Peace John.

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