
Obituary for Major JC Tyzack MBE
The sudden and tragic death of John Tyzack on 19 May 2018 whilst on holiday in France came as a shock to his family and many friends.
He was born in Great Yarmouth on 23 May 1939 – one of 5 children. He was educated at King’s College Taunton and then RMA Sandhurst and was commissioned on 16 December 1960 as a 2Lt into The Royal Leicestershire Regiment. In 1962 he was a platoon commander in A Company 1st Royal Leicesters and was promoted Lt on 2 June 1962. For a time the Regiment was stationed at Donniford Camp near Watchet in Somerset – not far from where John’s parents lived. Many felt that his parents should become Honorary Tigers in view of their generous hospitality towards the subalterns. He saw action fighting in Borneo as 2IC B Company in the spring 1964; before his platoon left the country he was presented with two fearsome blowpipes by his guide, a man called Ghisang.
He developed a keen interest in flying and qualified as an Army Pilot on No 172 Light Aircraft Course in 1965 at Middle Wallop. He went on to serve as an Auster pilot with 2nd Royal Anglian’s Air Platoon in Cyprus. His conversion to rotary wing was on No 181 Conversion Course at Middle Wallop in 1966 from where he returned to Cyprus and took command of the Air Platoon in 1966, flying the Agusta-Bell Sioux helicopter. He then flew this type of helicopter for the United Nations while he was stationed in Nicosia at the height of the troubles there in the 1960s. On one occasion the rear rotor brake failed, and he had to make a forced landing in the Turkish sector. He was in real danger of being taken prisoner or even used as a hostage but, as those who knew him well would expect, John was able to deploy his negotiating skills and not inconsiderable charm to good effect; the Turks not only helped him to repair the helicopter, they also let him go; the damaged brake drum became an ash tray in his drawing room.
He was promoted Captain on 16 December 1966. He finished Regular service as Adjutant of 4th Royal Anglian in 1969 and went on to become a Captain in the AAC TAVR Reserve of Officers. He resigned his commission on 1 April 1976
After leaving the Army John had a varied business career; he worked for Gallaher in Northern Ireland and later ran his own travel business. Before he finally retired he was appointed Fundraising Director at Newnham College Cambridge and later at Reading University.
In the early 1980s he founded the Ox & Bucks Branch of the AAC Association which under his chairmanship flourished. He was a Trustee of the Museum of Army Flying, was chairman for a time and was greatly involved in the proposed new museum.
A central feature of his work in retirement was fundraising. He helped to raise money for Norton House (which provided accommodation for injured servicemen and women at the Headley Court Rehabilitation Centre), by helping to organise air shows and other events.
When he retired from full-time work he immediately became involved with West Berkshire Education, chairing the schools’ Funding Forum and became a governor of 4 local schools. He was also chair of the governors of Enborne School and was instrumental in creating the beautiful school hall, opened by the Duchess of York in 2009. His skill in managing meetings and contributing to discussion was second to none, as was his wit and sense of humour. He had a special knack of being able to chair meetings with a lovely mix of professionalism and humour. He was also a very good Father Christmas for these schools.
John was an active member of the Church Council of St Mary’s, Hamstead Marshall where he lived and was a churchwarden of the church for many years.
He was a man with a rich variety of skills and talents; he could turn his hand to almost anything – a brilliant plumber, carpenter, mechanic, bricklayer, gardener and expert joiner and furniture maker; he could build an extension to a house himself with very little assistance; he could re-build the engine of an MG J2 from scratch and he could make the most beautiful things out of wood – in his drawing room is a perfectly-made bureau desk, and he also made children’s toys and even a magic roundabout.
He deployed all his many talents to good effect throughout his life, whether in the Army – he was an excellent Adjutant of his Battalion; in his flying career as a pilot with the Army Air Corps; in his charity work; and when he retired, in his untiring work with the schools around his home, with the Museum of Army Flying, the Army Air Corps charities and latterly with the old boys club at King’s College Taunton.
During all this time – for something like 30 years – he and his wife Liz restored a beautiful old water mill in the Lot region of France – Le Moulin – around which they created an incredibly beautiful garden with many rare shrubs and trees. Much of the work of restoring the Mill John carried out himself.
His extensive voluntary work for local schools around his home and for his work for West Berkshire Education Authority was recognised when he was awarded an MBE in January 2009.
He married Liz on 15 August 1964 by whom he had 3 children, Samantha (who pre-deceased him), Sarah and Charles.
A memorial service for John’s life was held on 18 June 2018 at St Mary’s Church, Hamstead Marshall; it was a celebration of his life and it was well attended by his family and many friends, and by former colleagues. His younger brother David said this as part of his Reminiscences:
“It has quite literally, I think – for all of us – been a case of never a dull moment with John around – a wonderful, larger than life, totally unique and very special person – that has been the hallmark of my own experience of knowing him and being with him, growing up with him and staying with him, here, in Lech in Austria, and in France – and I daresay it is your experience too – in whatever way you knew him.
“He was quite simply and above all, immensely good company – it was always such a pleasure to be with him because he was amusing and interesting – he would always be doing such fascinating things, and he would want to tell you about them – it was quite infectious – that’s why he lit up our childhood and our lives. And we also knew that we could go to him for advice because he had a very good brain and would give you a considered, serious and valuable answer.
“And it’s that aspect that I shall miss the most – his company and speaking to him on the phone – if ever I felt a bit downhearted I would say to myself – I know I’ll phone John! It was like a sort of tonic!
“It is impossible to speak about John without referring of course to his wife Liz – surely one of this world’s saints? But they were an amazing team who were fantastic home-makers whether in Middle Wallop, Mortimer West End, South Wales, Waringstown in NI, Greek Street in Larnaca or here at Hamstead Marshall and of course at Le Moulin near Cahors in France.
“Wherever they made a home it was a place of warmth, fun, laughter and most generous hospitality – hardly surprising that his children Sarah and Charles never wanted to live too far away!
“Finally I say to you John and on behalf of everyone here, ‘Thank you for enriching our lives with your company and comradeship, with your love, with your humour, practical jokes, with your invaluable help in so many ways to your family and the charities you supported.
“ ‘In the final analysis John, you died doing the work you loved – driving your tractor, in the place you loved – Le Moulin – and in the company of the woman you loved. What better way of leaving this world than that?’ ”
DIHT