DSJ's Death

Sir,

I am saddened to read in today’s Motoring News of DSJ’s death, and would like to compliment Doug Nye on his eloquent obituary. I started to read and collect MOTOR SPORT in the early Seventies, and always read DSJ’s reports first. I always felt I was receiving a letter from a friend who was having the time of his life following the Grands Prix around Europe.

I was also fortunate to hear DSJ speak to Chester Motor Club a few years ago, and sat spellbound as he recalled stories from his enviable life interspersed with the evocative names of motorsport legends. This was done in such a matter-of-fact way that once again I felt my “friend” was retelling his adventures to me alone. At the end of his all-too-short talk I joined a queue of people who wanted to “consult the oracle”. He gave each person some time, and I managed to get a few personal comments from him about Colin Chapman. He would have stayed talking all night if club officials had not dragged him away.

I am privileged to say I was able to speak to the great DSJ and I feel a great sense of loss at the thought of his passing. I shall, however, continue with him in spirit by rereading some of his Grand Prix reports, Reflections and Letters, as I do while waiting for the Grand Prix season to start.

R P Wood, Dodleston, Cheshire.