John & Joyce Delnevo

John Delnevo born 1926 was the son of John Albert and Jessie Delnevo.

Joyce ?

John and Joyce married in September 1951

John and Joyce had 1 child as follows :-

Louise Delnevo born 1961

In 1958 John and Joyce bought the newly built bungalow 'Shona' in Kiln Lane

A Tribute to John Delnevo By H. Seymour

John was born in High Wycombe, in June 1926, the only child of Jessie and John Albert Delnevo. His grandfather had immigrated from Italy, and sold ice creams on Frogmoor, High Wycombe.

He had violin lessons at school when about 9 and played in the school orchestra. When he left school at 15, he tried various jobs, but finished up in the family printing firm in Desborough Road. The family lived above the shop.

He leamt the double bass and joined the all-ladies “Josie Alwyn’s Band’. This helped to supplement his income. He then learnt clarinet and saxophone.

In 1944, he was called up into the Gordon Highlanders and was sent to train at Annan in Scotland - he joined the military band there. He was interviewed with “Stars in Battledress” and his group toured India and Malaysia. One of their number was Billy Dainty. On his return from abroad, he still had six months to do in the army, so he joined the Oxford and Bucks military band.

Discharged in 1948, he returned to the family business. He played with the Archie Goddard Dance Band at functions all over the local area. This was a useful supplement to his income, sometimes doubling what he earned from printing.

At one stage, the band was invited to play at Windsor Castle, but had a prior engagement at Tylers Green. It must have been fate, because there he met Joyce, who had been crowned Miss Tylers Green. They were engaged on Valentine’s Day 1949 and married in the Parish Church, High Wycombe on 22nd, September 1951.

Meanwhile, John had joined the well known Ken Madeline's band, playing saxophone in the big band (Glenn Miller) style. Ballroom dancing was very popular then, and most people leamed to dance. They found that Jack Dell had a plot of land in Kiln Lane. Shona was built (named after the Scottish Island), and they moved in September 1958. In 1961, their daughter Louise came along.

He played tennis with Wycombe Tennis Club at Bassetsbury Manor. He later took up bowls - he had always enjoyed sports, and had played for the school Cricket team.

Following his father’s death; John took a partner, and continued to run the printing firm.