John joined the Royal Navy at the age of 17 in March 1942.  He was sent to Devonport for twelve weeks of basic training, then onto Gunnery School to be trained as an anti-aircraft gunner. John’s first active service came in November with a rail ticket to Scotland where he boarded RMS Queen Elizabeth in Loch Ewe. This was an Anti-Submarine Boom Defence Depot in the far North West where the deep water sea loch was ideal for the assembly of convoys, with access through the Minches directly into the North Atlantic. Loch Ewe was situated close to the Home Fleet based at Scapa Flow, so well suited for convoys gathering for the unenviable trip to Murmansk. Happily for John, he was destined for the United States, making the trans-Atlantic voyage aboard one of the fastest ships afloat.  

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This photo is of John in September 2014 with Legion member Rosie and Martine at their restaurant L'Abbaye.

Submitted by: Duncan and Christine Law