By far the oldest casualty to die, John’s death is somewhat puzzling, especially since the cut off age for military service was supposed to be for men over twenty five years his junior.

          John lived in Filey with his wife Lily and was a member of the Merchant Navy.  At the outbreak of war he was the Skipper of a motor vessel called the Kolchis.  This vessel was actually crewed by Greeks, and registered in Greece itself so presumably most of his serving time would have been around the Greek coastal ports and the Mediterranean.

          Whatever the case, the Kolchis was lost on the 22^nd November 1940 with most hands aboard her.  They are remembered on Lowestoft Naval Memorial.