A journalist who helped to keep the nation abreast of vital new developments in employment law has died at his Margate home at the age of 64. He suffered 17 years of ill health after failing to make a full recovery following a heart attack.
Former Press Association law service man John Aldous specialised in covering legal matters involving employment, first at the now defunct National Industrial Relation’s Court and later at the Employment Appeals Tribunal.
Aldous, who joined the Press Association in the late Sixties, was one of the first reporters to cover the Employment Appeals Tribunal when it was set up and his stories regularly appeared throughout the national media until he was taken ill.
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He also covered all divisions of the High Court for the Press Association, though particularly the more complex cases heard in the Chancery Division.
Originally from London’s West Ham, he moved with his family to Margate at the age of 11 and entered journalism indentured to the Isle of Thanet Gazette. He remained with the paper and become chief reporter.
Then, however, he moved to London to join the PA law service and also to carry out subbing duties for PA’s general news service during court vacations.
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He retired on health grounds after a heart attack in 1985 and had not worked since.
He leaves a widow, Maureen, who cared for him throughout his long illness, sons David, Timothy and Matthew, his daughter Wendy and six grandchildren.
Roger Pearson, head of High Court agency UK Law News, who worked alongside Aldous both in the Margate area and on the PA law service, said of him: "He was one of the most professional journalists anyone could ever hope to meet. He was an old-school journalist and above all a great mate. He was someone you knew you could rely on for advice and to help you out.
Mike Taylor, editor of the PA Law Service said: "The loss of John was a huge blow to us all. Everyone who knew him was impressed by his professionalism but more than that we have all missed him as a great friend."
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