John Arthur Shercliff, 10 September 1927 - 6 December 1983

John Arthur Shercliff was born and bred in Eccles, Manchester, the youngest of a family of three. His father, William Shercliff, was a teacher of geography, together with some physics and mathematics, at Eccles Grammar School; Arthur’s lifelong interest in the application of mathematics to practical problems of science and engineering owed much to his father’s influence during his early years. His mother, Marion Prince Shercliff (née Hoult), was also a qualified teacher with a keen interest in the humanities and literature, an interest that complemented the more practical skills of her husband, and provided a stimulating and liberal environment for the flowering of natural talents. Arthur displayed these natural talents at an early stage. He attended Monton Green Council School, and in 1938 won a scholarship to Manchester Grammar School, where he remained till 1945. At the outbreak of war the school was briefly evacuated to Blackpool; Arthur recorded in a letter from Blackpool ‘It’s rotten having no relatives with you’ and he further maintained that the 3d then charged on the miniature railway was a fraud!