A Chance Meeting with Extraordinary Travellers
In Memory of David Latham (1936–2008)
Some meetings in life last only a few days, yet remain with you forever.
In December 2007, my wife Hansa and I were returning home to Navsari after a visit to New Delhi. We flew to Baroda and our friend Malav collected us from the airport. As we travelled south along National Highway 8 towards Navsari, an unusual sight caught our attention—a green Land Rover Defender bearing British registration plates parked at the A1 Services restaurant.
Curiosity got the better of us.
We stopped for a cup of tea and introduced ourselves to the occupants, Jo and David Latham from Cornwall, England. Like us, they loved travelling by road, and within minutes we were exchanging stories of our adventures.
Their journey was nothing short of remarkable.
For several years they had explored some of the world’s most remote regions in their faithful Land Rover Defender 110, travelling under the banner “Footloose 4×4 – London to Sydney.” By then they had already covered more than 70,000 miles across Europe, Africa, North and South America, Asia and Australia. Their Land Rover had become both their transport and their home, complete with an Eezi-Awn roof tent where they had spent countless nights beneath the stars.
David spoke with quiet enthusiasm about the people they had met rather than the miles they had travelled. It was immediately obvious that this was not simply a holiday—it was a way of life.
After a brief conversation we returned to the restaurant, but by the time we came back they had already resumed their journey.
Fortunately, we caught up with them a few kilometres further along the road towards Mumbai. With New Year’s Eve approaching, we invited them to spend a few days with us at our home in Eru, near Navsari. To our delight, they accepted.
It proved to be one of those unexpected friendships that travel so often creates.
After many months of expedition life, David and Jo thoroughly enjoyed having a comfortable bedroom and, as Jo laughingly remarked, “a proper bath” for the first time in many weeks. That evening we shared dinner, Indian wine and stories that continued late into the night before they retired for one of their first restful nights in a real bed after months of sleeping in their roof tent.
During the following days we introduced them to our family, friends and local villages. We took them to Bharat Vidyalaya School in Karadi, where I was serving as President. They were deeply impressed by what had been achieved in our rural community and, despite living a simple life on the road, generously donated ₹2,000 towards the school. It was a gesture that reflected their kindness and genuine interest in helping others wherever they travelled.
Knowing they planned to continue on to New Zealand, we introduced them to friends there and exchanged contact details. On New Year’s Eve we celebrated together at our home. David enjoyed a whisky while Jo, because of her food allergies, was perfectly content with a few sandwiches and good company.
As midnight arrived, we welcomed 2008 together.
On New Year’s Day, they prepared to continue their adventure, heading first towards Daman and then south to Goa.
Before leaving, David did something I have never forgotten.
He produced a bottle of whisky that he had been carefully saving to celebrate the successful completion of their expedition in New Zealand. Instead, he insisted on opening it there and then so that we could share one final drink together. He told me that after the warmth and hospitality we had shown them, it simply felt like the right thing to do.
We said our goodbyes, promising to stay in touch.
On 2 January I received an email thanking us for our hospitality and confirming that they had safely reached Daman using the directions we had given them.
Just over two weeks later, on 17 January 2008, another email arrived.
This time it was from Jo.
David had tragically lost his life while swimming in the Arabian Sea near Goa. What had begun as another ordinary day on their remarkable journey ended in unimaginable tragedy. They had been celebrating thirty years of marriage and looking forward to continuing their expedition together when David was caught in dangerous waters and drowned.
The news shocked us all.
Only days earlier he had been sitting in our home, laughing, sharing stories of distant countries and looking forward to the road ahead.
Later I learned more about David’s life in England. Beyond being an accomplished overland traveller, he was a respected countryside campaigner and had served as Joint Master of both the Four Burrow Hunt and the Tetcott Hunt in Cornwall. Those who knew him described him as generous, adventurous, determined and a true gentleman—qualities that we ourselves experienced during the few days we were fortunate enough to spend together.
During our Republic Day celebrations at Bharat Vidyalaya School on 26 January 2008, students, teachers and guests observed a minute’s silence in David’s memory.
Although we knew him for only a short time, his friendship left a lasting impression on our family.
Travellers often say that the greatest journeys are measured not in miles but in the people we meet along the way.
David Latham was one of those unforgettable people.
His expedition may have ended far too soon, but the spirit with which he and Jo explored the world continues to inspire everyone fortunate enough to have crossed their path.
Rest in peace, David.
Your journey may have ended beside the Arabian Sea, but your footprints remain on roads across the world—and in the hearts of those who were privileged to know you.
“With David and Jo Latham at our home in Navsari, Gujarat, December 2007.”
“David and Jo’s Land Rover Defender 110, ‘Footloose 4×4’, which carried them over 70,000 miles across five continents.”
