It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden, unexpected and untimely death of John Knifton on Sunday 3rd March in Nottingham. Although he had been unwell for some while, John’s health had been improving and as always he remained positive and optimistic and had many exciting plans in mind for the future. His insights and scholarly approach to so many different topics will be sorely missed by all those who have enjoyed his erudition over the years.
John leaves behind his wife, Gaynor, and daughter, Lauren, as well as over a year’s worth of scheduled blog posts and one unpublished book. We are devastated by his sudden death and, after his funeral and when we feel capable, we will continue to publish his blog posts as well as his last book.
May he rest in peace.
John Knifton 
I am saddened to hear this news. I hold you all in my prayers.
Very sorry to hear this news. John was a first class historian. My thoughts are with his family and friends.
This is terribly sad news. Thoughts and condolences to his friends and family and to all who knew him. His writing has been a fascinating and entertaining read for such a long time. He’ll be sorely missed.
My condolences for your loss. May John rest in peace
I’m lost for words…
My sincere condolences to all Mr Knifton’s loved ones. He was a wonderful man who I had the pleasure of crossing paths with from my entrance exam to my final year at Notts High in the football team. I contacted Mr Knifton a few years back to tell him I saw him as a role model…which he found amusing! I loved his wit and kindness. He is always one of my first thoughts when reflecting on times at school. May he rest in peace x
I don’t know what to say. John was such a good friend to us, a model of character and loyalty. I know there’s more I want to say, but this has truly come as a shock.
I’m also lost for words… Thanks so much for sharing the news with us. It has been a joy having this connection with John over the years. I’m already missing him. May you find solace in your shared loss ❤
Mr Knifton gave outstanding service to Nottingham High School. He will always be remembered with much affection by the Old Nottinghamians who were lucky enough to be taught by him.
Very sad and, as you state, unexpected news. John’s posts have been immensely informative and entertaining in equal measure. My sincere condolences to both Gaynor and Lauren as well as wider friendship group. Fly high John.
Truly devastated to hear this news. Loved his classes, the football and always the chat. Love to Gaynor and Lauren
<
div>Sim
John was highly respected by his peers for his strength of character and the range and depth of his intellect. He was also justifiably loved by many of the students fortunate enough to have been taught by him. There is so much more that could be said, but I wish to make just two further comments. John’s acerbic wit was legendary (I should know because I was often on the receiving end) but, as someone who counted John as his closest friend for well over twenty years, I can say without exaggeration that he was the kindest and most caring man that I’ve ever known. There are no words sufficient to alleviate this devastating loss. My condolences and love to Gaynor and Lauren.
very sad news. I have fond memories of Mr Knifton from the High School in about 1980, funny recollections from the “language lab”. And more recently I have loved his posts. Sincere condolences to the family. Richard
It was with great sadness that I received news of John’s death. I looked forward to his blog posts. It never occurred to me that John wouldn’t always be here. I and so many others will miss him.
That is sad news. He was one of my favorite bloggers. He will be missed.
As one of his former students, I’d like to pass on my condolences to John’s family.
I remember his wit, his ability to make a class engage (never an easy thing). A funny man, and a wonderful teacher. I’m sorry to hear he’s gone.
I’m so sorry for your loss
There are very few, if any people in the world who have had such a profound positive influence on me as John Knifton (always Mr Knifton to me). He had a superb sense of humour, a kindness, mentorship and guidance that went so far beyond anything that I have experienced before or since.
He was an engaging and superb teacher of French and also Religious Studies (and in particular challenging us as students to think for ourselves. I count myself extremely lucky to have had the fortune of three years of his company and insight for hours each week).
I pass my sincerest of condolences to his wife and to his daughter, of whom I know he was exceptionally proud. He will be so sorely missed and I hope you can find comfort in knowing how very much he positively influenced so many lives over so many years.
Goodbye Mr Knifton xx
What incredibly sad news but what a legacy and a wealth of fond memories John, Mr Knifton to many of us, leaves behind. I may not have unearthed a love of French but I loved his classes, his humour and certainly caught an interest in obscure B-movies and film history from his lessons that has remained ever since. My thoughts are with John’s friends and family. You’ll be missed Sir.
Hugs and condolences for the family. John’s posts were among the ones I enjoyed most.
Dear Gaynor, I am so terribly sorrow that John has gone. I only knew him from his blog but he became an important part of my life for the last ten years. Kindest regards
John Corden.
Deepest condolences and sincere sympathies. It has been a pleasure to make contact with John again in recent years and follow the blog. It was a post about the 1981/82 football team that John coached which brought me here as a member of that team, as well as having been taught French by Jon, way back when. Thoughts and best wishes to Gaynor, who supported me alongside Terry Satterthwaite, in getting an Art O Level as I prepared for an Art Foundation course at Trent Poly, which led on to my career as an academic in Digital Arts and Media. I have enjoyed following John’s blogs and reading about the publications too, and will miss them.
very sorry for your loss. John was a living legend as a teacher to the pupils back in the 90s. His humour and sharing his passion for films as well as languages was passed on to many of the lads who joined his classes.
Such a shock. Thank you so much for letting us all know. My sincere commiserations XX
Ahhhh this is so, so sad. John taught me French whilst at school and I can completely echo the comments about his acerbic wit. He was also in charge of the legendary ‘B’ football team during my time in the sixth – legendary for all the wrong reasons – we just weren’t very good! His post about the team still makes me smile especially the ‘not sure who he is’ comment about David Nowell. These blogs have been fantastic and I’ve always looked forward to them dropping into my inbox. I’ve loved his reminiscences about his personal life, the amazing and painstaking history research especially around fallen former pupils, the ‘dilly of a pickle’ comic scenarios and, of course, we can’t possibly forget the legendary adventures of ‘Widdle.’ John was simply unique and he leaves behind an amazing legacy. My heartfelt condolences got to Gaynor and Lauren. Rob Harwood 1974-1981
I was shocked and deeply saddened to hear of John’s death. I really enjoyed reading his amusing reflections on all sorts of subjects, from foxes to old cars – and, of course, football. They were always entertaining and very well written, and John had a wonderful gift of making everything seem so real.
I will always remember – and be hugely grateful to – John for his incredible enthusiasm and support as our Second XI football coach in the 1980s. He was, of course, doomed. Trying to impose Derby County tactics on a bunch of Nottingham lads was never really going to work.
His love of the game did, though, always shine through and he was able to hide amazingly well his frustration at having to deal with players like me who had limited talent. Perhaps he was willing to suspend disbelief for a few hours on a Wednesday afternoon. That would perhaps explain why he always wore shorts that were at least 2 sizes too small.
Thanks, John.
I am glad you plan to share his works later. It will be a great tribute to his memory.
Oh my God. He had become a dear friend though I never met him in person. I will miss him. On the 1st he had commented on my post that he is back. I look forward to his posts but will always miss his notes of appreciation to my posts. My condolences to his family. Lakshmi Bhat
I am deeply shocked and saddened to hear this news. I had known John since our days together at junior school. My thoughts are with Gaynor and Lauren.
I was very sorry to hear this news. John was a great teacher but also a real character who left us with many fond and funny memories from our time at NHS in the 1980s.
Commiserations to Gaynor and Lauren for your loss.
Pingback: Day 8 March SOLSC #SOL24 – Mukhamani
I’m a complete loss of words by this unexpected event. I can only express my sorrow and my sadness for the sudden departure of John and to express my condolences to his family.
He will be missed.
We briefly overlapped at NHS but I was never taught by John. I did, however, find much of interest in his blogs. He will be sadly missed.
This is indeed very sad news. John was a great writer and both his humour and his extensive knowledge will be sorely missed. My thoughts go out to you all, he leaves a great legacy behind him.
I am truly sorry to learn of John’s death; this has been a great loss. John wrote so beautifully and lovingly of his life in Nottingham and of his father Fred; he sent me many thoughtful, insightful comments upon my own blog posts and was always gracious, supportive, and caring. I valued his intelligence and his perception. I shall miss him terribly.
I know I am only a stranger, but I am truly so very, very sorry.
Very sad news my wife and I enjoyed reading about his wide range of interests in his blog. My wife was in his class at primary school and remembers him well. I always looked forward to receiving an email about his latest blog and I shall miss them enormously. John and his family are in our thoughts.
Very sad news, this is a great loss for us all.
John and I were colleagues for thirty years. I particularly remember the care and sensitivity with which he supported me in difficult moments such as the loss of my father.
He brightened many a moment at school with his sense of humour and frequent irreverence. He was his own man and deserves his place amongst the ranks of Nottingham High School legends.
It is touching to see eulogies from ex-pupils and colleagues on whom he left an indelible mark.
He is gone too soon.
Thank you for sharing!!.. I just met John here on WordPress and over time shared a lot of memories and thoughts together.. he will be sorely missed but I am sure if he could, he would share these words with us… 🙂
When tomorrow starts without me
And I’m not here to see,
If the sun should rise and find your eyes
Filled with tears for me.
I wish so much you wouldn’t cry
The way you did today,
While thinking of the many things
We didn’t get to say.
I know how much you love me
As much as I love you,
And each time you think of me
I know you’ll miss me too.
When tomorrow starts without me
Don’t think we’re far apart,
For every time you think of me
I’m right there in your heart.
(Alena Hakala Meadows)
Until we meet again, John…
Pingback: Day 31 of March SOLSC #SOL24 – Mukhamani