Seven: Temporary Sergeant J. F. Bishton, Royal Marines

1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star; Pacific Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., 1st issue (Ply. 22126 Mne., R.M.), generally very fine or better (7) £160-180

John Frederick Bishton was born at Aldershot in April 1905 and enlisted in the Royal Marines in May 1924.

Awarded his L.S. & G.C. Medal in May 1939, Bishton was advanced to Corporal and joined the cruiser H.M.S. Caradoc in September of the same year. Thus employed until April 1942, a period that encompassed Caradoc winning the Battle Honour “Atlantic 1940”, Bishton came ashore to an appointment in the Plymouth Division until joining the aircraft carrier Illustrious in June 1943. He subsequently served in the latter ship until December 1944, a period that witnessed his advancement to Temporary Sergeant and a good deal of action - Illustrious picked up several Battle Honours during the period in question. In August 1943, having just returned from an operation off Norway, she escorted the Queen Mary with Winston Churchill aboard and in the following month, as part of “Force H”, provided air cover for the Salerno landings. Then in early 1944 the Illustrious sailed for eastern waters and participated in the operations against the Japanese in Sumatra and Java.

Bishton was released in December 1945 and, according to his service papers, changed his name by deed poll to Sheffield in June 1963.