John Bishop

We are delighted to introduce John Bishop, our valued Ambassador for Kent, who served for 12 years with the Royal Artillery in the 1960/70s. He’s now retired but still involved with the Regiment. He is Chairman of Canterbury Branch Royal Artillery Association and South East Region Representative on the NEC.

John tells us: “I am married to Jan and we celebrate our 55th wedding anniversary next year. We have one son (Paul) and two grandchildren Ross (27) and Isabella (5). After leaving the Army I had several jobs including London Transport where I had a spell as a driving instructor on the buses. I drove an oil tanker for over 20 years delivering heating oil to farms, businesses and homes.

“For my last 16 years of working life I worked on a country estate in Kent in various roles and we now rent a property on the estate which is in the heart of the Kent countryside next to a hop garden. The house is one mile from the village where I was born, went to school and we can see the spire of the church where we married.

“I have always had a love of animals and we still have three chickens roaming around the garden and our son's two pointer dogs are regular visitors. I enjoy walking and reading historical novels when I have time. I also enjoy horse racing."

John was instrumental in organising a special service in the shadows of our giant Canterbury Horse recently to remember animals in war and animals in need, conducted by The Dean of Canterbury Cathedral, The Very Reverend Dr Robert Willis. John explains: “Over eight million horses died during WW1, of which many travelled through Kent on their way to the continent, so we feel this service of Commemoration was very fitting.”