John joined SotS with no prior fencing experience at the age of 58 in 2017. An historical re-enactor since 1979 he had owned a number of swords but hadn’t a clue how to use them properly. A poster on a lamppost offering a ‘six week course in historical fencing’ lured him in.

John’s preferred fencing style is side sword or rapier with companion weapons. A broken elbow in 2022 led to him developing an interest in the lighter smallsword as a way back into fencing, starting with the works of Dominico Angelo he is currently down the rabbit hole of C18th fencing treatises.

John worked for a major oil company for 25 years and then in local government as a finance officer. He is now retired though he does a bit of movie work as a supporting artist when the opportunity arises.