Sad passing of a HIGH-FLYING HARRIER

ANOTHER famous son of Tipton and one time member of Tipton Harriers has sadly passed away recently in the form of Sir Leonard John Chalstrey FRCS JP.

John died on March 12, 2020, aged 88. He was born in Tipton, attending Dudley Grammar School during the war years. His parents were both schoolteachers but his grandfather Councillor Thomas Chalstrey was a Vice President of the club until he died in 1925. John was introduced to Tipton Harriers

by a neighbour, George Law, and was a member between 1947-9 prior to going on National Service.

Medicine

He ran mainly 440yds/880yds races. He won the 1948 Youths Race in the Boxing Day Handicap and went on to be Youths Champion in 1948. He was second in the 1949 Staffordshire Junior Championship 440 yards clocking 56.4s and went on to represent Staffordshire in the Inter Counties.

Finishing National Service in 1951, he resolved to study medicine at Queens

College, Cambridge University and then on to St Bartholomew’s Hospital Medical School, qualifying in 1957.

Living in London working as an esteemed surgeon, he became an Alderman of the City of London in 1984. In 1995 he was also Master Apothecary of the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries.

He was Sheriff in 1993-4 and became 668th Lord Mayor of the City of London for 1995-6. One of his duties during his time as Lord Mayor was to present a race prize to Tipton Harrier Chris Sweeney!

Our thoughts go to his family and friends.