John or "Jack" as he was known, passed away on Sunday 25th September aged 91.

He was suffering from cancer which he was re-diagnosed after having been free from the illness for some years.

He is survived by his loving wife Jean.

For the last two years Jack had been a welcome addition on the WW2Connection stand at the War & Peace show. Happy and pleased to chat about his WW2 experiences with anyone young or old that was interested. A charming and likeable man, he was remarkably cheerful and was never without a smile, he looked forward to this year's show after his first experience at War and Peace in 2010. This year he managed to tour the site in a World War 2 vehicle courtesy of the show, and he came back with that wonderful smile on his face thanking everyone for such an enjoyable experience.

Jacks wartime career was interesting to say the least, joining the Royal West Kent Territorials in 1938, he was sent to France on the outbreak of World War II as part of the BEF. One of the Lucky ones, as he would describe it, he was evacuated from Dunkirk, and experienced the full horrors of that evacuation.

Later in the Second World War Jack was wounded in North Africa, while recovering from his wounds, he volunteered for the newly formed 1st SBS (Special Boat Service), In his words because he was bored and wanted something different ! He remained with the SBS until the wars end.

Postwar he had a varied career, prior to retirement he was a foreman with the Direct Labour Force of Medway City Council. He lived in Rainham Kent.

One of the memories from this years War and Peace Show is a photograph of Jack taken with Artist Neil Leonard, Neil had produced for Jack a portrait taken from a photograph of Jack in his SBS days, Jack was so happy with it he had it framed and it took pride of place in his home and wanted to thank Neil for his hard work.

Jack you will be missed by all your friends and everyone who had the great pleasure to know and meet you, You were a real Gentleman !