John Clemmens
The Photographer
John Clemmens captured from a moving Darjeeling Himalayan Railway narrow gauge carriage by an American lady doctor while she was stopping in Darjeeling, North East India. March 2005.
John Clemmens – Biography
I was created in London during 1934 simply because my mother was bored – or so I was told! However, my life has been anything but boring; it’s been so enjoyable and definitely exciting!
Pursuing an engineering career was necessary and interesting, but I found ‘toeing the line’ and working with others extremely difficult. My lone inner world of fierce independence seems to be when I am happiest for creative reasons, although on the other hand being with others – especially ladies – maintains a pleasing balance to my life. Having a childish and light hearted spirit without compromise has really allowed me to enjoy life to the full – although at times it has been tough.
My interest in railways was linked to visiting Aunty Nan in Margate during the Second World War under cover of a special permit by train from Victoria during the school holidays. For a young ‘tearaway boy’, Dunkirk, the Blitz in London and experiencing the D-Day preparations in Margate were exciting times.
However, Death and Destruction were less so, and on many trips to the coast we often stopped in tunnels for protection during air raids. Being stuck in a tunnel, with a belching steam loco at the front, was something to remember. As well as poor ventilation, all the carriage widows were covered in muslin – hopeless for train-spotting!
My rail photography started in 1946 when 1120 size roll film became available, using early Kodak Box Brownies followed by the brilliant Voiglander Bessa models. The 500 series 6×6 Hasselblads came along from the mid-1970s and I still use them today. London terminal stations and their accompanying MPDs, all the fun of engines, were an absolute paradise for young spotters, although getting from school in those days was not easy and was expensive. As a result I have few reasonable shots taken during the BR days.
Luckily during 1951 – Festival of Britain year – I was selected for an indentured apprenticeship with the de Havilland Engine Company at its historic Stag Lane, Edgware, establishment, and I became involved with the latest gas turbine engines – the Goblin, which powered Vampire jets, the Ghost, the Venom and the early Comets.
Having been associated with gas turbines and being a member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers for more than 50 years, I feel lucky that my engineering career worked out so well; the apprenticeships with de Havilland was a wonderful foundation, but the opportunities that came my way from the Exxon Corporation complete the story.
Since retiring in 1999, after all the hard work of previous years, it has been like starting a new life. My photography has led me to compete an exclusive book covering half a century of photographing the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. Although I appreciate that is only a book, I have been fortunate in meeting so many interesting people from around the globe, and one or two have really opened my eyes as to what life is all about.
In conclusion, I feel having a spectrum of hobbies makes for success.
John Clemmens – December 2019
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