A DECORATED major general who spent his latter years in Odiham has died aged 91.

Major general John Sturge, who moved to the village after completing more than 34 years of service with the Army, died after contracting pneumonia on August 2.

Becoming an integral part of the Odiham community, Major general Sturge was responsible for curating The Odiham Garden, which he built from scratch and opened to the public in aid of All Saints Church.

Born in Camberwell, London, on April 27, 1925, Major general Sturge won two scholarships to the then Wilson’s Grammar School.

During World War Two, he was twice evacuated from his home in the capital.

In 1946, Major general Sturge joined the Corps of Royal Signals because of his radio experience, achieving a national certificate in radio engineering in Cambridge whilst he was evacuated for the second time during the war, and soon rose through the officer ranks gaining command appointments across the globe – settling in locations such as Egypt, Malaya, Hong Kong and Germany.

During his career with the army, Major general Sturge also commanded the Queen’s Gurkha Signals before finishing in the position of assistant chief of the defence staff within the Signals.

In 1953 he married Jean and had three children: Susie Nicholson, 61, Simon Sturge, 57, and James Sturge, 53.

Susie recalled: “He was an incredibly practical and ‘handy’ man, able to build or make anything – servicing cars, electrical wiring, wood turning, general building, brick laying.

“In the 80s, they [John and Jean] wanted to move to a village where ‘you didn’t have to get in the car to post a letter’ so chose Odiham where they already had friends.

“They embarked on extensive renovations and improvements to the dilapidated listed house they bought and were happy there for nearly 30 years. It’s a lovely place to live.

She added: “I will remember him as a great father, friend, mentor and leader. He threw good parties as I remember.”

Following his long spell serving with the army, Major general Sturge joined the Marconi Company as a director of Marconi Space and Defence Systems.

When the company began to disband, he became principle consultant for defence contractor Logica.

While balancing his busy career, Major general Sturge still found time to become chair of governors at his old school Wilson’s.

He continued to support the local community and was keen to teach the life skills he had picked up to others throughout his life.

Son James said: “I can always remember him encouraging me to help with work around the house and I remember these times as always being great fun.

“Looking back he was teaching me life skills for when I had my own family.
“He taught me so much without ever knowing I was being taught.”

He added: “In his later years he became a very keen armchair sportsman. Watching international rugby you could see him catching and passing every ball on the screen.”

“Never pushy but always there to give advice, help and support as required – that’s how I will remember him.”

Major general John Sturge leaves a wife, three children, 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

His funeral will take place on Tuesday, August 23 at 10.15am at Basingstoke Crematorium with his wake afterwards at Cross Barns, Odiham.

Family flowers only and all donations made will be sent to The Royal Signals Benevolent Fund, which supports past and present members of the Royal Corps of Signals.