John William Greening


John William Greening MBE was a noted Philanthropist and benefactor.

Early years and education

He was the son of Arthur Greening and was educated at Abingdon School from 1934 to 1937.

Military Service

He joined the Royal Air Force and was posted to Nova Scotia in August 1941. He became a flight lieutenant and flew Lancaster bombers over Germany. Much later he was welfare officer at the RAF Benevolent Fund.

Career

He returned to mixed dairy and arable farming at Longfurlong farm, in 1946 and lived in Sunningwell for more than 30 years.

Philanthropy

After retiring in 1980 he became known as a benefactor and philanthropist. He helped to establish Tilsley Park and the Kidlington Ambulance Station. Tilsley Park was originally part of his farmland that was detached when the A34 was constructed. He also donated to the John Radcliffe Hospital, St Anne's College, Oxford and the Oxford Playhouse.
He was a benefactor to Abingdon School and in 1990 funded the construction of new laboratories which were initially called the Greening Laboratories and then became the Greening Wing. An entire section of the School containing the Greening Wing is now known as Greening Court. His portrait, commemorating his generosity, hangs in the Avernus room at Abingdon School.
He funded the creation of an Upper Room and refurbishment of his local Sunningwell church.
In 1992 he received an Order of the British Empire in the 1992 Birthday Honours

Family

John Tilsley Greening was killed in road accident aged just 27. His younger son Simon attended Abingdon School and his first wife Vera continued to reside at Longfurlong farm.

Later life

He lived in Freeland and then Cheltenham before moving to Torquay following the death of second wife Barbara. He died in 2010 after suffering a heart attack.