John Wallace Linton

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Photo by Terry Macdonald

John Wallace Linton VC, DSO, DSC (15 October 1905-23 March 1943) was a Welsh recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

1 Details
2 Further information
3 References
4 See also
5 External links

[edit] Details

He was 37 years old, and a Commander in the Royal Navy during the Second World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross.

From the outbreak of the war in 1939 to May 1943 which was the month of HMS Turbulent's last patrol in the Mediterranean, Commander Linton was responsible for sinking approximately 100,000 tons of enemy shipping, including a cruiser, a destroyer, a U-boat and 28 other ships. In addition Turbulent destroyed three trains by gun fire. In his last year Commander Linton spent 254 days at sea, submerged for nearly half the time, his ship was hunted 13 times and had 250 depth charges aimed at her.

Turbulent had sunk a huge amount of enemy shipping and endured numerous attacks.

Turbulent sank over 90,000 tons of enemy shipping. She was depth charged on over 250 occasions by enemy forces hunting her.

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In recognition of this achievement, and the gallentry of Turbulent's crew, John Wallace Linton, DSO, DSC, RN was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross on 25 May 1943. The citation read:

Commander Linton has been in command of submarines throughout the War. He has been responsible for the destruction of 1 cruiser, 1 destroyer, 20 merchant vessels, 6 schooners and 2 trains. A total of 81,000 tons of enemy shipping sunk. From 1st January 1942 to 1st January 1943 he spent 254 days at sea, including 2,970 hours diving. During this period he was hunted 13 times and had 250 depth charges dropped on him. His career has been one of conspicuous gallantry and extreme devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy.

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He was killed in action, Maddalena Harbour, Italy, on 23 March 1943.

[edit] Further information

Grave/memorial at Body not recovered.
His name appears on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Hampshire, England. Panel 72. Column 3.
Commander Linton's medals now form part of the Ashcroft Collection having been acquired by Lord Ashcroft in 1996.
A JD Wetherspoon's public house has been re-named in his honour in his hometown of Newport.