By his son, Jonathan (Fayrer 1984-89)
John Collier, who so loved his old school and being greatly involved in the OE community, died on 16 January aged 81. As young children, John and his two sisters, Susan and Louise, lived in Pollards Hill in suburban London, in a little house that had miraculously survived the German bombing raids
Their parents restored the house and transformed the neglected garden into a haven in which they played. It also fostered a lifetime interest in garden-making for them all. The siblings started their schooling locally, but John left early to attend Little Appley prep on the Isle of Wight. Summer holidays were spent on the South Devon coast at Thurlestone and John continued to take holidays there, staying at the Thurlestone Hotel with his wife, Susannah, and son, Jonathan.
His working life started after a truncated stint at University in London. John joined a family business founded 144 years ago. He was the fourth generation of Colliers to be involved in what has become one of the largest specialist hand tool manufacturers in Europe. John worked at Monument for over 50 years, overseeing the business as it moved from Brixton to Balham, and then to Hackbridge, Surrey, in 1996.
He was instrumental in bringing new products to market, many now sold in Home Depot, Lowes, B&Q, Screwfix and Toolstation. The business now employs more than 50 people and has just celebrated its 90th birthday – first as Shetack and, since 1969, as Monument Tools. Last year’s trading accounts showed Monument moving from SME status to a medium enterprise – quite an achievement for a ‘small’ family business.
John had been President of the Federation of British Hand Tool Manufacturers and was also a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Plumbers and a Freeman of the City of London. You can watch videos of John on the Monument Tools’ TikTok and on YouTube.
John loved Epsom College, loved Propert and he loved that Christian, his grandson, was also in Propert (2016-21). He was a great, maybe the greatest, advocate of the College, but was equally impressed that his granddaughter, Joely, attended Wellington College (2016-21). He made many friends, mainly after his school years, through the OE Club, OE committee and through OE Cricket, where he was President, and latterly OE Golf. He played OE cricket for many years and successfully ran the OE Cricket Week.
John captained Cheam Cricket Club’s league team in the 1970s. He was coached at Gover’s Cricket School, after which he became a successful left- hand bat. He confessed he was a failed professional cricketer but was asked to play for Surrey 2nd XI. However, his work commitments were probably the real reason for his so-called ‘failure’.
John was a great collector – he created a museum of the history of the Collier, Shetack and Monument brands. He also collected slide rules, micrometers, planes, tape measures and woodworking tools. His grandad had started a collection so that these tools could become part of the heritage of hand tools, and someone needed to be the guardian of their history.
John’s other ‘failure’, if you can call it that, was as a concert pianist. He was a grade 7 or 8 and, once, after a tiring day at a trade show in Koln and too many glasses of Kolsch, he took centre stage in a hotel bar and played his “small” set to exhibitors and hotel guests.
John built two 00 gauge train sets at home in Carshalton Beeches. His skill level in woodworking and electrics was astounding and the engineering was incredible. He and Susannah cultivated
the garden there, and when in full bloom, the wisteria, bluebells, cherry blossom, daffs, pansies and roses, among others, are simply delightful.
John would have been honoured that his ‘Celebration of Life’ was held in St Luke’s Chapel at the school in March and would have been delighted that so many attended. He will be greatly missed by OEs, colleagues at Monument Tools, friends, his sisters and family. John left us unexpectedly but peacefully after a sudden short illness. He will be remembered for all the above but also for his stories and his ability to make us laugh.
