Before the war John worked for the Kent Electric Power Company as an Electrical Mains, Secondary Draughtsman, but his career and future were set aside when he volunteered for service with the Royal Air Force.
On the night of 9 September 1944, John was serving as Wireless Operator/Air Gunner aboard Short Stirling LK200 of No. 138 (Special Duties) Squadron, flying from the secret airfield at Tempsford. Ironically, the Short Stirling had been designed and built at the Short Brothers factory in Rochester, close to John’s home in Medway.
The mission was to drop two SOE agents and containers of supplies into the Netherlands – the first such drop in West Friesland. The outward flight was successful, but on the return leg the aircraft, flying at about 400ft, struck the cable of a drifting barrage balloon near Texel, tearing off an engine and setting the bomber ablaze. It crashed into the dunes near De Cocksdorp.
Four of the crew were thrown clear and survived, only to be taken prisoner for the remainder of the war. John was one of three Flying Officers killed that night. He is buried in Den Burg cemetery on Texel, alongside his two comrades. A simple monument stands near the crash site, marking the sacrifice of those who gave their lives in the service of freedom.
John lies buried in Texel (Den Burg) Cemetery, Netherlands.
