Tributes paid to former assistant chief constable from Lancing

John Albon, a grandfather of four, passed away at St Barnabas Hospice in Worthing, surrounded by his loving family, two years after being diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease.

John rose to the rank of Assistant Chief Constable after joining the police in 1966, when he walked into Hove police station to ask for an application form.

He later became a Trustee and Director of Guild Care, the Worthing-based care home charity.

John was born in 1946 and was raised on the Knoll council estate in Hove, attending Hove Grammar school.

He met his wife Barbara at the Methodist Youth Club in Portland Road Hove in 1962, and they married six years later.

As a young police officer, John was the face of the Sussex Police recruitment programme – featuring in leaflets, advertisements and on TV.

In 1970, he gained a place on the prestigious accelerated promotion Command Course at Bramshill Police College, being promoted to Sergeant on entry and then to Inspector on completion of the course.

He won a police scholarship to Southampton University reading law in 1975.

Over 32 years, he served in various police roles in Haywards Heath, Worthing, Burgess Hill, Exeter, the Home Office and 13 years in Brighton.

John featured in the 2018 Trevor McDonald ITV documentary about the Babes in the Wood murder case, which showed footage of John, then as a Superintendent, dealing with family anger that the killer was still at large at the protest march in Brighton. 

In his interview, John explained some of the challenges of the case.

John was Chief Superintendent of Operations when Russell Bishop was arrested a second time in 1989 for attempted murder.

In 1992, John was promoted to become Assistant Chief Constable in Devon and Cornwall Police and, while there, led operations to deal with the demonstrations protesting against the construction of the A30 which featured the famous protester ‘Swampy’. 

On retiring from the police service in 1998, John took his entire family on a memorable holiday to Florida.

He then had a successful 10 year spell working as a consultant, alongside his brother Philip, at Sussex-based consultancy, Techniques for Change running leadership programmes for Abbey National, EDF energy, BT and BAE systems.

John leaves behind two children, Chris, a partner at Worthing solicitors Bate and Albon, and Cathy, client service manager at financial advisors’ Pebble Financial in Shoreham, and four grandchildren – Olivia, Frankie, Grace and Will.

As keen golfers, John and Barbara were popular members at Worthing Golf Club who flew their flag at half-mast as a mark of respect and sadness after his death. 

John braved and beat advanced prostate cancer in 2011 and, after major surgery, he took a three month world tour holiday of a lifetime with Barbara.

In 2016, health issues returned and he had liver surgery from which he never really fully recovered.

Issues with balance and weakness in his left shoulder and leg were later diagnosed in 2018 as Motor Neurone Disease, a progressive terminal illness for which there is no cure.

His tireless fundraising efforts helped raise more than £20,000 for the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA).

He also volunteered and took part in a clinical drug trial to help future sufferers.

In 2019, John’s daughter Cathy Albon and granddaughter Olivia completed the Brighton marathon to raise funds. 

As a keen runner, John had completed his first marathon alongside Cathy in 2003, raising money for dementia sufferers and was therefore determined to accompany Cathy and Olivia as they crossed the finish line in 2019.

His granddaughter Frankie, studying drama at University of Chichester, helped raise money by performing concerts including singing one of John’s favourite songs – On my Own from Les Miserables.

Barbara and John’s son Chris, also a keen golfer, organised fundraising golf days at Worthing supported by his schoolboy grandson Will who works part time greenkeeping at Worthing Golf Club and Grace currently studying at Sheffield University.

Chris and his friends also completed the Brighton Half Marathon in February 2020, by which time John was wheelchair bound.

As MND progressively robbed John of his mobility, Barbara cared for him at their Lancing home.

After numerous stays in hospital in 2020, John spent his final days at St Barnabas Hospice in Worthing.

His funeral will take place on Friday, October 16, at Worthing Crematorium.

His family have requested that donations are sent to Motor Neurone Disease Association - Worthing, rather than flowers.

To donate, visit www.hdtribe.co.uk and click the donations tab – then enter the name John Albon.