At the time of his death, John was a Trooper in 3 Commando. He was killed in Amfreville.

War Diary for 3 CDO on 11th of June 1944:

CHATEAU d' AMFREVILLE

0430 Stand to.

0600 Bn Black Watch attack BREVILLE.

0630 1 Troop (45 Cdo) to clear SALLANELLES under Captain M Woyevodsky. One S.P. Gun to shell houses at LONGUEMERE.

0700 Major Hopson with one S.P. Gun starts for LONGUEMERE. S.P. Gun crosses Hawkins mine near CHATEAU gates and a track is damaged.

0730 Major Hopson with other S.P. gun goes to edge of wood at 135754 and shells houses at LONGUEMERE. They are covered by patrol from 6 Troop under Capt Nixon.

Enemy in BREVILLE put up 5 c.m. mortar smoke.

1000 ORQMS Wardle becomes Lieutenant and Adjutant Wardle.

1200 Patrol returns from SALLANELLES with-wounded and prisoners. Pill boxes to N.E. still occupied by the enemy.

1645 Sjt Edmunds and five others buried in orchard CHATEAU d' AMPREVILLE.

2000 Cmdr 4 SS Bde arrives at 1SS Bde. 47 and 48 Cdos coming into line to relieve Paratroopers.

2100 12 Para Bn relieved and pass through our lines.

2130 Own shells fall in FDLs.

2133 Severe mortaring of HQ. Captain B.D. Butler MC and five others killed. Lt T.N. Skelly and three others wounded.