John Alexander Burton

A Stoker 2nd Class with H.M.S. Naiad, John died on 11th of March 1942 aged 25.

John was born at Brownsover, Rugby, Warwickshire, on 11 March 1917, a son of John Butters and Annie Burton. In 1921 his family lived at 38 Boughton Road, Brownsover, and in 1939 they lived at 78 Boughton Road. Around 1948 John’s parents moved to Lowestoft and lived at 70 Gorleston Road.

By March 1942 John was serving with the light cruiser H.M.S. Naiad. In March 1942 the Naiad sailed from Alexandria to intercept an Italian cruiser that had been reported to be damaged. This was a false report and while sailing back the Naiad was torpedoed by German submarine U-565. The ship sank with the loss of 77 crew including John.