Wednesday 17 April 2013

Remembering those we have lost - R.I.P John Garland

R.I.P John Garland

John questioning the save ability of a Space Hulk Terminator after being shot by one of his Space Orks on the ramparts. Check out the Acid Reign T-Shirt.
This picture is of my best Friend John Garland who passed away aged 39 on 17th April 2012 after a long and brutal battle with cancer.  He used to play Warhammer and 40K with me back in the 1980's before he became really enthusiastic and concentrated his efforts on RPG's, Boardgames and other independent wargaming products.
He owned 100's of RPG's and Boardgames, he was a die-hard RPGer, GameMaster and had one of the best NPC voices ever, he still dipped his toe into wargaming on occasions and I remember him coming second with his Orc team in our 12 man BloodBowl league even though he said he was only making the numbers up.  He loved to paint miniatures although I am sure he had an unhealthy interest with the colours Titillating Pink and Bilious Green as every miniature he painted had one of these two colours somewhere on them..


I hope all you OldHammer fans enjoy this Photo of John in 1988 as we test out the Warhammer Siege 40K rules with my newly acquired Mighty Fortress.

I could talk for hours about John but it is hard to transfer his life to words on a brief blog post.

If any of you out there knew John feel free to let me know and share memories of this great man, he was mental for Thrash Metal and could always be seen down Edwards no8, the Hummingbird or the Barrel Organ Alternative Pub sporting the latest Anthrax T-Shirt. He was quite fond of the computer section in the first Birmingham Games Workshop and would be always checking out the latest text rpg game.

Unfortunately it is a photo of a photo as my scanner is in the loft. 

Thanks
J

11 comments:

  1. My sympathies dude. It seems like you guys were having a great oldhammer battle there. 39 is just too young really, he should have had so many more years of rolling dice, failing saves and painting models in hideous colours.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thanks for comment dude , I was looking through some old photos and knew that one of John needed be shared with you OldHammer guys it screams out the end of the 1980's. I will try and find some more out but they are few as you probably remember how expensive it was to development photos back then.
      J

      Delete
  2. That's much too young mate. My sympathies to you and his family. Look at the photo my goodness we appear to have had similar childhoods ;)

    That wall paper!

    Arohanui Jason. Kia Kaha.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, much too young but the powers that be have plans for us all :s I am glad you came on enjoyed the photo and thanks for the nice words.

      That vintage wallpaper would probably sell for £10 a roll now, we missed a trick there.

      J

      Delete
    2. You're most welcome and now added to my blog list!

      Delete
  3. Don't know that guy but your story and your memories "touch my heart"...too young of course...

    I suppose that all your future games will be dedicated to him and the past moments of joy.

    As we say in French : "Salut l'Artiste"

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thanks, he was a central figure in our gaming community, we still play many games he owned and know his spirit is watching over the Friday night gaming table.

      Salute indeed
      thanks again
      J

      Delete
  4. My sympathies on losing your friend. He was the same age as me, which is somewhat chilling.

    ReplyDelete
  5. thanks Dude, I was thinking the web is a good place to immortalise people and thats where the photo idea came in ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Very sorry for your loss and my sympathies go to his family. It's great idea to celebrate his awesomeness by sharing it with an appreciative community though, well done.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thanks Paul, I shall be mooching around for more memories in the future
      J

      Delete