John was born Jan Peters in Utrecht, Holland in 1923 and recently celebrated his 90th birthday. He was the son of Gerrit Willem Peters and Cornelia van Cranenbroek. World War II had a major effect on his life. When Germany invaded Holland in May 1940 he was a 17 year-old and liable to be captured and so went on the run. He remained in hiding and joined the Dutch underground only being captured shortly before the liberation. After the war, he joined the Dutch Army as a junior officer. Holland was in disarray and he completed his training in the UK. After training, he went to Edinburgh for a short period of leave. There, at a skating rink, he met his future wife. Norman Purves Maclean (1927- 2006) entered his life and they were married in Edinburgh in 1948. As he was still in the Army, they moved to Holland where their eldest son, John Alexander Peters was born in 1948. After leaving the army they went back to Edinburgh and lived with Norma's parents in Craiglockhart. Soon after this their second son, Michael Kenneth Peters was born in 1952. In 1955 their youngest son and last child Norman was born. When John first came to live in Edinburgh, he was restricted by his conditions of entry, to certain occupations and he became a mental nurse. As the conditions were lifted, he chose to become a salesman. He worked for various companies and then an opportunity arose to work in England and to buy a house in the rapidly expanding town of Ashford in Kent. He worked for Geerings for the most part and after leaving the firm took a job as a court usher in the Magistrates Court in Ashford. He and Norma enjoyed many pursuits during their marriage. Most involved dancing and the were active members of several dance clubs ranging from Scottish country dancing to Ballroom. They were also members of the Caledonian Society and he liked to consider himself an honorary Scotsman. He enjoyed sport and was a keen amateur footballer in his youth, a passion passed on through the generations. 2006 was the saddest part of his life and he took the passing of Norma very badly. He somehow carried on and battled through many health problems. He took great pleasure and comfort in his family. He followed their lives and careers with great interest. He fondly spoke of his grandchildren, Sarah, Emma, Natalie and David and was proud of their achievements. He also took great comfort from his Nephews, their wives and children and spent many a happy Sunday lunching with them. Paul, Nicky, Neil and Debbie and their families have our and his and Norma's eternal gratitude. His final days were spent at the Pilgrims Hospice in Ashford. The staff there are extremely caring and supportive and looked after him well. They also cared for Norma and her sister Sheila in their final days. May he rest in peace.